Footballing figures including the players, manager, and former players have their say on the GOAT argument between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid heated up the moment Ronaldo decided to join the Los Blancos in 2009. Over the last nine years, there has been consistent battles between those to win several individual and team accolades. Both of them have won share five Ballon d’Or each.
It is fair to say that the fans have been blessed to see both of them perform at the top level for more than a decade. When they were called out to choose one between the two, they have chosen Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo.
A twitter account has complied all the top-notch players and managers favouring Lionel Messi more than Cristiano Ronaldo. Some of the players have even said that the Argentine is the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT).
Professional footballers, managers, commentators, reporters etc. calling Messi THE BEST. Thread: pic.twitter.com/Q9zs3YHNEq
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
“Ronaldo vs Messi: who’s better?”
Rooney: “Messi”
“Oooh that was quick. And you played with Ronaldo too”
Rooney: “Yeah I think, I’ve said this before but they’re both probably the best two players ever to play the game and I just think Messi is in my eyes the greatest ever” pic.twitter.com/jHaPqs0V7q
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Eden Hazard: “Messi is the best player in the world” pic.twitter.com/jf6coweblZ
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
“Who is the best player ever?”
Marco Reus: “Lionel Messi” pic.twitter.com/NQCcS7A7mf
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Gary Linker:Messi scored his 600th goal to beat Atletico and surely clinch La Liga for @FCBarcelona.If he were just a goal scorer it would be astonishing,but the fact he’s also the best dribbler I’ve ever seen and as good a passer as I’ve ever seen makes him the best I’ve ever… pic.twitter.com/LYFjlo61K7
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Ruud van Nistelrooy: “Messi, he’s one of a kind. I think he’s arguably the best player in history we’ve ever had” pic.twitter.com/f0foV2m940
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
“Best fashion style, Messi or CR7?”
Jerome Boateng: “Fashion? Well, you see more of Ronaldo but as a player Messi is the best.” pic.twitter.com/6BXTXBoGZS
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
“Messi or Ronaldo?”
Riyad Mahrez: “Messi. Messi.”
N’golo Kanté: “Messi” pic.twitter.com/hESO9LorNa
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Steven Gerrard: “If I was forced to pick one, I would probably go for Messi, but that’s only because he’s slightly more of a team player – he might just provide more assists or final passes, but it would be 51% to 49% in my mind.” pic.twitter.com/xs95xTm79s
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
David Beckham: “While Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both better than the rest, Ronaldo does not reach the level of Messi.” pic.twitter.com/fs3v0GRx3G
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Pele: I could mention some names but what has happened in the last 10 to 15 years, I think Messi is the player who was the most consistent all those years, no doubt. Cristiano Ronaldo is like the Ronaldo from Brazil, he is a good scorer no doubt, but to me as a player it is Messi pic.twitter.com/YXjdzkb9wd
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Ronaldinho: “He [Messi] is the best in history, no doubt. Nobody has done what Messi’s done. I hope he plays 20 more years. Those who love football would love to have him here for much longer. I think when he leaves, nobody will be able to take the number 10 of Leo.” pic.twitter.com/IhmBvGXjsy
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Jose Mourinho: “For me the top three players in history are Messi, Pele and Maradona.” pic.twitter.com/iI9MS4bS2O
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Ronaldo Luís Nazário: “It’s tough, but I pick Messi. He is out of this world. Ronaldo too, but I see Leo as more complete.” pic.twitter.com/LqAAVv9Bi9
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Pep Guardiola: “Messi is just incredible, really strong, really fast, back to his best just as when I used to train him. He is the best player of all time.” pic.twitter.com/b2FWJnOav3
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
John Terry: “Lionel Messi is quite clearly the best player ever. It’s a pleasure to pit myself against him and when I finish my career it’s something I can look back on and know I’ve tested myself against the very best.” pic.twitter.com/7MgCrHH4Sa
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Roy Keane: “I was a big fan of Maradona growing up and of the current crop Ronaldo is good but Messi is the best I’ve ever seen. I don’t dish out praise lightly but Messi deserves it. I look for weaknesses in his game and I can’t find them.” pic.twitter.com/O3aHx5JjPr
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Luis Enrique: “Messi is the best in the world without any doubt and for me the history of football.” pic.twitter.com/Vl6GorMa0y
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Michael Owen: “I can’t believe anyone can have played the game of football as well as Messi.” pic.twitter.com/k60NjeYNoC
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Franck Ribéry: “Messi is class. There is him, and then there is the rest. What he does is extraordinary.” pic.twitter.com/tYiCbYnRO5
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Arda Turan: “Messi or Ronaldo best player in the world? In the world, I would say Ronaldo. Messi is from another planet.” pic.twitter.com/jQV5KOGpKl
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Xavi: “Leo is the best player I have played with. The only one who can make the difference by himself and in every moment”
“More than Cristiano Ronaldo?”
Xavi: “Yes, no doubt. Messi is the best player in the world to me. Actually, he is the best in history” pic.twitter.com/tADkpcbhwi
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 24, 2018
Francesco Totti: “There are players like Ronaldo and Neymar, but Neymar is an example of this big price, it is too much to pay €250 million for a player. This goes beyond reality. But Messi is number one – just don’t tell Cristiano!” pic.twitter.com/PtKk84Ywzg
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Alan Shearer via Twitter [@alanshearer]: “We should consider ourselves very fortunate to live in an era where we can watch the greatest player ever! #Messi #BARCHE” pic.twitter.com/hWsQnoxRx8
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Mario Balotelli: “There is only one player who is a little stronger than me – Messi. All the others are behind me.” pic.twitter.com/KRQBMIOpfZ
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Mario Götze: “Messi is at another level. He has set the bar very high, it’s almost impossible for anyone to get there.” pic.twitter.com/8abAo0SzOO
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Jürgen Klopp: “Messi is the best. There must be life out there somewhere, on some other planet. Because he is too good and we are just too bad for him.” pic.twitter.com/StDZNe9ywl
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Diego Simeone: “Messi is the number one [player in the world]. No other player today is even close [to him].” pic.twitter.com/7hh4U6eeeH
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Paul Scholes: “I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo – and the greatest of them all is Messi.” pic.twitter.com/A6YdjH5RJz
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Iker Casillas on the 2010 Ballon D’or final three: “They are great players and, in fairness, I hope Messi will understand, I opted for Xavi and Iniesta. Messi is the best in the world, but I prefer them.” pic.twitter.com/NGUR2JHzq4
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
“Who is the best player you’ve ever played against?”
Andrea Pirlo: “Lionel Messi” pic.twitter.com/ha0vmsuUMt
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Paolo Maldini: “If I had to choose Messi and Cristiano, I’d choose Messi. Messi penetrates the defense, creates opportunities, has a play style I love so much, if I had to choose I had no doubt I’d choose Messi” pic.twitter.com/shCgXBzq1B
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 25, 2018
Paul Pogba: “When you play against the best footballer of the last ten years, I watch and learn from him. Messi makes me love football. He will always be my idol.” pic.twitter.com/cYFO37Uutz
— Ryan (@LioneI10i_) December 26, 2018
As you can, there are plenty of people who have preferred Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo. But, there is no doubt that the Portuguese International is the great competitor to go toe-to-toe with Lionel Messi over the past decade.
The footballing world must be privileged to watch these two consistently perform at the highest level. The GOAT argument will go on and on as the generation moves on from one to another.
Who is your GOAT? Let us know in the comments.
