Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have divided the football world for years over who is the greatest of all time (GOAT). The two players have defined football for nearly two decades, winning a combined 12 Ballon d’Ors and capturing the imagination of millions of fans around the globe.
The debate over which of them reigns supreme often hinges on personal preference or loyalty to one player based on club or national team affiliations.
Interestingly, some of Cristiano Ronaldo’s former teammates, despite their deep connections with him, have publicly stated that they believe Lionel Messi is the better player. Let’s explore the top seven players who rate Messi as the GOAT over Ronaldo.
1. Luka Modric
Luka Modric, one of Ronaldo’s most successful teammates at Real Madrid, spent six years playing alongside him. Together, they lifted three UEFA Champions League titles, cementing their legacy at the Bernabeu. However, Modric’s allegiance to Ronaldo didn’t stop him from acknowledging Messi’s greatness.
After Croatia’s 3-0 defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup semi-final, Modric stunned fans when he declared that Messi was the best footballer in history. He expressed his hope that Messi would go on to win the World Cup, saying, “I hope [Messi] wins this World Cup, he is the best player in history, and he deserved it” (Mundo Deportivo). Modric’s words were surprising, considering his long-standing partnership with Ronaldo at the club level.
2. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo formed a formidable duo during their five seasons together at Manchester United. Despite their success, their relationship had its ups and downs, including the infamous 2006 World Cup incident where Ronaldo’s actions contributed to Rooney’s red card. Despite these rocky moments, Rooney hasn’t been shy about where his loyalties lie in the Messi vs Ronaldo debate.
After Messi’s outstanding performance against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup, Rooney tweeted, “Nothing has changed,” accompanied by a goat emoji, signifying that he still believes Messi is the greatest player of all time. Rooney’s admiration for Messi has been consistent over the years, despite his history with Ronaldo.
3. Ángel Di María
Ángel Di María had the unique experience of playing alongside both Ronaldo at Real Madrid and Messi for Argentina. He won several titles with Ronaldo, including the prestigious La Decima—Real Madrid’s 10th Champions League title. Yet, when asked to choose between the two, Di María chose Messi.
In an interview with TyC Sports, Di María reflected on playing with legends like Ronaldo, Rooney, and Messi, but ultimately admitted Messi was his top pick. He described it as a “dream” to play with so many stars but said Messi stood out as the greatest, both for his skill and leadership on the pitch.
4. Paul Scholes
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes played with Ronaldo for several years and was instrumental in United’s success during that period, including their 2008 Champions League triumph. However, Scholes, a man who rarely gives bold opinions, made it clear in his column for The Independent that Messi is the greatest player he has ever seen.
He wrote, “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.” For Scholes, Messi’s vision, dribbling, and creativity elevate him above the rest.
5. Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov shared the field with Ronaldo at Manchester United during the 2008/09 season, a year when the club won the Premier League but lost the Champions League final to Barcelona, where Messi shone. In an interview with ESPNFC, Berbatov admitted that while Ronaldo is a brilliant player, Messi is his personal favorite.
“He’s the greatest,” Berbatov said. “Ronaldo is brilliant, but Messi is more my kind of player. He sees the game so clearly. He can score, create, he’s the complete player, the best ever probably.”
6. Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos was a fierce rival to Messi during his time as the captain of Real Madrid, often clashing with the Argentina in intense El Clasico matchups. Ramos played alongside Ronaldo from 2009 to 2018, winning multiple trophies together. However, after joining Messi at Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, Ramos has had a change of heart.
In an interview with PSG TV, Ramos admitted, “There was suffering for several years playing against Messi. I am now enjoying him. He is the best player football has ever produced.” Coming from a player who fiercely defended against Messi for years, this statement was particularly powerful.
7. Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas, another Real Madrid legend, played alongside Ronaldo during the Portuguese star’s early years in Madrid. Despite their shared success, including several league titles and a Champions League win, Casillas has always had a soft spot for Messi.
In 2019, after a Barcelona victory over Atletico Madrid, Casillas tweeted, “Formula for football: goalkeeper and player [with a goat emoji].” His praise for Messi, despite his long-standing ties to Madrid, shows how highly he regards the Argentine forward.
Conclusion
While Cristiano Ronaldo has earned his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time, it is remarkable to see several of his former teammates give Lionel Messi the edge. From Luka Modric to Iker Casillas, these footballers have witnessed Ronaldo’s brilliance firsthand, but they still believe Messi is the GOAT.
The Messi vs Ronaldo debate may never be settled, but one thing is clear—both have left an indelible mark on the world of football, and their legacies will continue to inspire future generations.
