Pedro Acosta says Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi are on the same level as the best riders in MotoGP history, but that each built a different legacy. Acosta, who will join Marquez at Ducati in 2027, shared his view in comments to AS.

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The rivalry between Rossi and Marquez still echoes through MotoGP, years after Rossi’s retirement. Rossi, who inspired Marquez in his youth, quickly became his fiercest adversary after Marquez’s MotoGP debut in 2013.

Their clashes, including the infamous 2015 Sepang incident in which Marquez was kicked by Rossi, fractured their relationship beyond repair. The animosity between their fanbases remains palpable, and Acosta is now drawn into it.

Acosta on Marquez and Rossi

Acosta’s move to Ducati mirrors the moment when Jorge Lorenzo joined Rossi at Yamaha, which sparked fresh rivalries. With the ‘Shark’ set to line up alongside Marquez, comparisons to past teammate clashes are inevitable.

When pressed about Marquez’s standing relative to Rossi, Acosta did not hesitate: “He’s on a par with Rossi. They’re the two best in history. I put them on the same level.” Acosta ranks Marquez level with Rossi as the best ever, but his assessment goes deeper, distinguishing the nature of their legacies.

“Marc has achieved a great deal on the track and Valentino has achieved a great deal in the media,” Acosta told AS. “Valentino was a crowd-puller wherever he went. He also raced in a rather different era.”

He credits Marquez’s on-track supremacy, highlighting the caliber of opponents the Spaniard has conquered. “Marc has gone head-to-head with the best riders the championship has ever seen… and beaten them. So he’s achieved a great deal on the track, perhaps much more than he has off it.”

A changing atmosphere and a Ducati future

The dynamics of fan reception have shifted notably in 2026. Once a lightning rod for boos, especially at Rossi’s home race in Misano, Marquez has seen the clashes with the crowd cool, signaling a grudging respect from even the most ardent Rossi supporters.

As Acosta prepares to face Marquez in equal machinery, the stakes could not be higher. His move away from KTM is fuelled by the ambition to topple the ‘Ant of Cervera’ head-on.

Whether the new Ducati partnership ignites fresh on-track confrontations remains to be seen. Acosta’s respect for Marquez is clear, alongside a burning desire to prove himself against one of MotoGP’s fiercest competitors.

Acosta’s verdict sums up MotoGP’s two giants: one a magnetic figure who captivated fans beyond the circuit, the other a relentless force conquering rivals race after race. Acosta aims to carve his own legacy amid the echoes of Rossi and Marquez.