Ronnie O’Sullivan has natural ‘gift’ to rival Roger Federer and Lionel Messi – Alan McManus on World Championship star

Updated 02/05/2022 at 21:40 GMT

“It’s the way that Federer hits a forehand, it’s the way Messi beats three players,” said Alan McManus as he hailed Ronnie O’Sullivan ahead of the final session of the 2022 World Championship. O’Sullivan joined Stephen Hendry on seven world titles after completing the job on Monday evening. The Rocket secured an 18-13 win to quell a brilliant fightback from Judd Trump.

'He doesn’t probably fully understand the gift that he’s got' - McManus on O'Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan has the natural talent to rival Roger Federer and Lionel Messi, according to Eurosport snooker expert Alan McManus.

O’Sullivan is widely considered the greatest player in history and drew level with Stephen Hendry on seven world titles after seeing off Judd Trump 18-13 at the Crucible on Monday night.

“He’s on a completely different level to anyone who’s ever lifted a piece of wood. It’s as simple as that,” said McManus ahead of the final session of the 2022 World Championship.

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“He’s got a talent that is beyond my comprehension. It really is. I’ve witnessed it up close, at a distance. He’s got something you can’t actually describe.

“It’s the way that he does it, it’s the way that Federer hits a forehand, it’s the way Messi beats three players.

“He doesn’t know how he does it and Ronnie’s been able to do that pretty much his whole life.

“He doesn’t probably fully understand the gift that he’s got. Maybe it’s good that he doesn’t. He just does it.”

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Ahead of Monday’s third session, Jimmy White and McManus praised the "unstoppable" O’Sullivan.

"It just looks like a masterclass," White said in the Eurosport studio. He later added that he believed O'Sullivan was capable of winning 10 world titles.

"He is just flowing around the table; he is at such ease. His cue-ball control is there."

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Stream the World Championship and other top snooker live and on-demand on discovery+. You can also watch all the action live on eurosport.co.uk.

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