5 Footballing Legends Who Believe Leo Messi is the GOAT Over Ronaldo
Lionel Messi recently picked up his 7th Ballon D'or to strengthen his case as the greatest footballing maestro to ever live. He further increased the gap between him and Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 5 to his name. While it’s not undisputed, the claim that Leo Messi is the best to ever to do it, is gaining more traction as each day passes and he continues to break records one after the other. Along with his legion of fans, there’s also an increasing number of footballing icons who believe that Leo Messi is, after all, the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time).
Let’s have a look at some of the legends who believes in Messi supremacy:
5. Marco Van Basten
Marco Van Basten isn’t a name that is unknown to many footballing fans. The striker spent his entire career playing for Ajax and AC Milan and has netted 277 goals in 373 appearances. This player-turned-manager, who has also been in charge of the Netherlands national team believes that Leo Messi is a generational talent. He particularly isn’t a big fan of the Messi vs Ronaldo debates.
“Cristiano is a great player, but those who say he is better than Messi knows nothing about football, or they are saying it in bad faith. Messi is one of a kind. Impossible to imitate and impossible to repeat. A player like him comes along every 50 or 100 years.”
4. Thierry Henry
A Barcelona legend in his own right, Thierry Henry made the move from Arsenal to FC Barcelona, where he got the opportunity to witness Messi perform his magic first-hand. The pair formed a scintillating duo, even conquering champions league glory. He mentioned:
"I don’t think we fully realize just what these guys are achieving. So, while huge respect goes to Ronaldo, having played with Messi and shared extraordinary moments with him, both in victory and defeat, it has to be Leo."
3. Wayne Rooney
The English international was a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo during his initial stint with Manchester United but despite Cristiano’s impressive performances for the Red Devils, Rooney still gives the nod to Messi when it comes to the title of the greatest football player ever. According to him:
“Messi. I think I've said this before, but they're both probably the best two players to ever play the game. I just think Messi is, in my eyes, the greatest ever."
2. Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is widely regarded as one of the most technical midfielders of his generation. Much like Rooney, Scholes was also a former teammate of the Portuguese footballer. Although, as dazzled as he was by Cristiano, Scholes still sides with Messi when it comes down to it. Scholes believes that Messi is much more well-rounded as a footballer than his former ally. He said:
“Messi [is the best] but Ronaldo is brilliant. Ronaldo is sensational at what he does, with pace and power. He scores, he takes free-kicks. But as an all-around footballer, Messi - wow, his passing - he has absolutely everything.”
Ronaldo Nazario is undoubtedly one of the greatest talents to ever put on a pair of boots. The Brazilian sensation has played for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid C.F. When enquired about his thoughts on the perennial Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate, the former world cup winner opined that he preferred Messi. He said:
“He (Messi) is out of this world. Cristiano, too, but I see Leo as more complete. He's great. I like him much more than any other player. Everything he does is spectacular.”
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