Messi's Absence Makes Argentina 'Stronger,' Says Mac Allister

Messi might play in 2026 FIFA World Cup, says teammate

Argentinian football star Lionel Messi’s potential participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has become a hot topic, especially following remarks from his teammate Alexis Mac Allister. This news not only stirs excitement among football fans but also highlights the camaraderie within the Argentine national team.

​In a recent statement, Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister expressed strong confidence that Lionel Messi will be a part of the national team in the upcoming World Cup.​ He shared, “If you ask my feelings, yes. I think he will be there,” speaking to Messi’s enduring skill and passion for the game. Mac Allister’s belief reflects not just his optimism but also a broader sentiment within the team.

Messi himself has been non-committal but open about his future. He stated that his decision to play in the World Cup will depend on his physical state and level of play at that time. With the tournament occurring when he turns 39, the forward wisely acknowledges that age and physical condition will influence his ability to compete effectively.

The Argentine squad has been vocal about their desire for Messi to remain involved. Mac Allister and other teammates have reportedly urged Messi to continue contributing to the team, reinforcing the significant role he plays not only as a player but also as a leader and mentor on the field. This camaraderie is essential for team morale as they aim to build on their recent successes.

The prospect of Messi playing in 2026 sparks memories of his illustrious career, including the triumphant 2022 World Cup victory. The chance to witness Messi extend his legacy further is a thrilling thought for fans around the world. His unique flair and tactical brilliance are qualities that any team would wish for, making his potential return something to anticipate eagerly.

As the football world gears up for another thrilling edition of the World Cup, Messi’s future remains a tantalizing question. The conversations about his involvement cultivate a sense of hope among fans, teammates, and even Messi himself. His journey in the sport is far from over, and the 2026 World Cup could very well be a culminating chapter in his storied career.

Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts and excitement about Messi’s possible participation. This engagement not only connects supporters to the team but also reinforces the legacy that players like Messi have built through their contributions to the sport. As the countdown to the World Cup begins, the football community stands united in anticipation of thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.

Messi

Breaking: Lionel Messi announces move to join MLS side Inter Miami

It’s an end of an era. After the news of Karim Benzema departing from Real Madrid, Lionel Messi has announced a shocking move. The Argentinian superstar has announced a move to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami on a free transfer.

Messi, who was believed to be re-joining Barcelona will be plying his trade for the American club. Confirming his imminent switch to MLS, Messi said, “I made the decision that I am going to go to Miami. I still haven’t closed it 100 per cent. I’m missing some things but we decided to continue the path.”

He further stated, “I had offers from other European teams but I didn’t even evaluate them because my idea was to go to Barcelona. If the Barcelona thing didn’t work out, then leaving European football, much more after winning the World Cup, was what I needed. Finishing my career on this side and living the United States league in a different way, enjoying day to day much more but with the same responsibility of wanting to win and always doing things well, but with more peace of mind.”

 

Football & Studs

Football & Studs

Despite a mega-money offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal, who were widely expected to sign the 35-year-old until it was revealed he had delayed a move to the Middle East, Messi has opted to head stateside to join up with Inter Miami – the club co-owned by former PSG, Manchester United and Real Madrid star, David Beckham. Messi’s former club Barcelona had also been desperate to re-sign him, but a return to Camp Nou has not materialised after protracted courting from the Blaugrana.

Lionel Messi is a legend. The World champion has played for Barcelona for the majority of his career. He joined Barcelona’s academy at 13 years old after leaving his homeland. At Barcelona, he became the Catalan club’s greatest icon, scoring a record 672 goals in 778 games, winning 35 trophies, including four Champions League triumphs and 10 La Liga titles.

After his unexpected Barcelona departure, Messi linked up in Paris with his former teammate Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappe in a star-studded attacking trident, but PSG flattered to deceive during his time at the club.

With Messi departing from European football, it is literally the end of an era.

Lionel Messi In blue and white verticle line jersey

PSG suspends star player Lionel Messi for two weeks

Ligue 1 leaders Paris St. Germain have suspended their star player Lionel Messi for two weeks. The suspension came as a result of an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia by the Argentinian footballer.

As per a report by RMC Sport, Messi’s suspension will be valid for the next two weeks and it could include no chance to play games and participate in group training. Messi will miss the upcoming Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajaccio but might return for the match against Auxerre on May 21.

Messi’s trip followed PSG’s surprise 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, leaving the defending champions with a five-point lead over Marseille with five games left in the season. Lionel Messi played the entire 90 minutes.

L’Equipe had reported that PSG coach Christophe Galtier pledged to give his players two days off — Monday and Tuesday — if they beat Lorient. Instead, the team trained on Monday and had Tuesday off.

The World Cup-winning skipper whose contract with PSG is about to expire soon requested permission to take the trip, but PSG denied the request. The suspension comes at a very crucial moment for PSG, who had hoped to extend Messi’s contract beyond the current season.

With this suspension, the rumors about Messi not extending his contract with PSG becomes even more strong.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi wins the Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2022

After conquering his long-desired wish, the men’s FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi has won the Best Men’s Player for 2022 at the FIFA Awards conducted yesterday.

Messi, who had a stunning World Cup with seven stunning goals and three assists during the tournament, was one of the strong contenders for the award. Besides Messi, his current PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema were also in the running for the award.

This is the second time Messi has won the award, which FIFA first inaugurated in 2016 after football’s world governing body split from Ballon d’Or organizers France Football.

Additionally, Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the best women’s player award for a second straight year. Argentina’s World Cup-winning manager Lionel Scaloni was voted the FIFA men’s coach of the year.

Also, Argentina’s World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez was voted FIFA’s best men’s goalkeeper. Polish amputee Marcin Oleksy won the Puskas prize for the best goal of the year at the FIFA awards. Warta Poznan’s Oleksy had scored a stunning volley against Stal Rzeszow, which won him the Puskas trophy in Paris.

The award, which is voted for by national team coaches and captains, journalists, and also fans, recognizes the best talent from the world of football.

Here’s a quick look at the full list of winners at the FIFA Awards:

Lionel Messi (PSG/Argentina) – The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2022

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain) – The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2022

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina) – The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2022

Sarina Wiegman (England) – The Best FIFA Women’s Coach 2022

Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina) – The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper 2022

Mary Earps (England/Manchester United) – The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper 2022

Marcin Oleksy (POL/Warta Poznan) – FIFA Puskas Award for the most spectacular goal in 2022

Argentinian fans – FIFA Fan Award 2022

Luka Lochoshvili – FIFA Fair Play Award 2022

Football players

Top 15 Unusual Superstitions of football players

Superstitions and bizarre rituals have a very narrow border between them, but some people are able to cross it a little bit more than others. Superstition in football is surprisingly common. Players, managers, and team presidents all have their own rituals and lucky items, such as a favorite t-shirt or pair of underwear that they wear for good luck. They even have superstitions about what order to put on their boots. It is not surprising that team members of all levels, from players to managers to team presidents, also have their own superstitions before, during, and after games. 

More specifically, football superstitions often revolve around rituals that are done before and during the game, such as crossing oneself or finding a specific seat to sit in. Some players even have lucky charms that they carry with them. There have been reports of teams having specific colors for playing gear or pregame meals to bring about good luck. 

Football players also have superstitions about their equipment, such as the order in which they put on their boots or gloves. There have been reported cases of players wearing certain pieces of clothing throughout the season, believing it will bring them luck. Additionally, some players have rituals they perform before each game, such as spinning around a certain number of times or having a specific way of entering the field. Let’s have a look at some of the most unusual superstitions of football players. 

Top 15 Unusual superstitions of football players 

Cristiano Ronaldo 

Arguably, the greatest footballer on earth, Cristiano Ronaldo, also carries a set of superstitions with him. The former Real Madrid superstar has a set of things he practices daily before every game. Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his superstitious behavior. He has been observed to wear the same pair of socks during a streak of games, cross himself before a match, and enter the field with his right foot first. 

Real Madrid make Cristiano Ronaldo transfer decision

Creator: BSR Agency | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 BSR Agency

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also carries a lucky charm with him- an old Portuguese coin that was given to him by his grandfather. Ronaldo has several superstitious habits, such as being the first to disembark while traveling to a game by plane and standing in the same way during free-kicks. He also has other unique superstitions, such as eating a certain meal before a game or listening to a specific song.

Pele 

Pele, one of the most successful league goal scorers and greatest players of all time, was not exempt from superstition. During a difficult period in his career, he thought the cause might be tied to a jersey he had given away to a fan after a match. He sent a friend on a mission to retrieve the jersey to remedy the situation. 

Fortunately, the friend was able to locate the shirt and give it back to Pele. Shortly after, Pele’s goal-scoring form was restored. However, Pele’s friend didn’t really find his jersey but gave the three-time World Cup champion the jersey he had worn in the previous game. Nevertheless, his trick worked, and Pele got back into his old form.

Lionel Messi 

Lionel Messi has an interesting superstitious ritual that he follows before taking a free kick – he will place the ball down with both hands, step back the same amount of steps each time, spread his legs, and take a deep breath. This technique has definitely paid off, with Messi often scoring goals from the resulting set piece! 

Gareth Bale 

Gareth Bale had a few superstitious rituals to help him avoid injuries. One of those was cutting holes in his socks before stepping onto the pitch, believing it helped to prevent compression on his calf muscles. He also used to drive his Lamborghini Aventador Roadster to games but stopped because he thought the seating put too much pressure on that area of his legs. His superstitions seem to have worked, as he left the game as one of the best to be out there. 

John Terry 

John Terry was well-known at Chelsea for having around 50 superstitions, such as sitting in the same place on the team bus and always listening to the same Usher album. He also had his own lucky pair of shin pads, which he wore for ten seasons. John Terry would definitely be a grandmaster if awards were given out for superstition. 

Danielle De Rossi 

The famous player from Rome was also known for his superstitious behavior. During the 2012 World Cup, Danielle De Rossi sported one long sleeve on his left arm, and a short sleeve on his right, which some say was an homage to the gladiators of the Colosseum. Others believe he may have been trying to hide a tattoo on his left arm. 

Johan Cruyff 

Johan Cruyff made an indelible mark on the history of football. His playing for Ajax and Barcelona helped to popularize the “total football” style, which led the Netherlands to a World Cup final. His iconic Cruyff turn is still one of the toughest skills to master for any footballer today. Despite his incredible football aptitude, Cruyff was famous for his pre-match rituals, which were very difficult to understand. Shortly before kick-off, he was known to slap goalkeeper Gert Bals in the stomach and then walk to the opposite half of the field to spit out his chewing gum toward the opposition goal. 

Johan Cruyff's all-time XI typically contained a lot of attacking options

Creator: R. Powell | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2016 Getty Images

“It’s odd I know, but it seems to work for me. Once I’ve gone through with my little system before the game, my mind is fully focused on what we have to do to be successful on the pitch,” said Cruyff. 

Cruyff’s usual pre-match rituals were put to the test at the 1969 European Cup final when he forgot to chew gum. Cruyff slapped goalkeeper Gert Bals in the stomach as usual and walked to the opposite half of the field to try and realized he wasn’t chewing any gum. Unfortunately for Ajax, they ended up losing the match 4-1. 

Phil Jones 

Manchester United’s defender Phil Jones has an interesting superstition – he will determine whether to put on his left or right sock first depending on if the Red Devils are playing at home or away. This certainly makes for an intriguing pre-match ritual. 

Jones explained: “The fixtures list United on the left side when we’re at home and on the right when we’re away. So this weekend, I’ll put my right sock on first because it will be Swansea v United.” “Next week, if I play against Benfica at Old Trafford, I’ll put my left sock on.” 

He added: “I also don’t like stepping on white lines on the pitch. When I cross a white line, I’ll take the first step with the foot that corresponds to whether we’re home or away.” 

Jamie Vardy 

Jamie Vardy’s superstitious ritual prior to every Leicester City Premier League game during their successful 2015-2016 season was quite unique – he would drink half a bottle of port and then gulp three cans of Red Bull in one go the day before a match. It looks like this truly gave him the wings he needed to soar to success! 

Cesc Fabregas 

Cesc Fabregas had a curious pre-game ritual involving his wife, Daniella Semaan. He would kiss a ring she gave him four times (his lucky number) before putting it in the locker and stepping out on the pitch. It seems that this little superstition helped him perform on the pitch as he was a key player for Chelsea 

Mesut Ozil 

Former Fenerbahce star Mesut Ozil had some unusual pre-game rituals, such as tying several knots in his boots and always making sure to put the right boot on first. We’re sure his kit man had a tough time dealing with this superstitious behavior! 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

I need to realise I'm not Superman' - How 40-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic is inspiring Milan's title charge | Sporting News Canada

Creator: ISABELLA BONOTTO | Credit: AFP via Getty Images

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s pre-game ritual involves a sex ban for his wife, Helena Seger, as he believes it affects his performance on the pitch. He admitted to having a particularly bad game after an evening of fun, so this superstition is definitely something he sticks to. 

Thibaut Courtois 

Thibaut Courtois is known to have a superstitious ritual that he follows during Belgium’s national anthem – he touches his chin for good luck. Observant fans have spotted this many times during games, and it looks like this ritual has been successful in keeping him at the top of his game! 

David Beckham 

Before leaving for a game, David Beckham (who admits he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder) was known to have a superstitious ritual of making sure all the condiments in his fridge were arranged perfectly. He had to make sure nothing was out of place before he left his house. 

Wayne Rooney 

Wayne Rooney’s pre-game snack of choice is no surprise – he loved to drink a bowl of Coco Pops cereal! This makes sense, as the cereal is known for its chocolatey taste, and it likely gives him a boost before taking the pitch. 

“I tend to have just a bowl of coco pops,” he once admitted. “The normal ones, not the moons and the stars.”

Ronaldo and Messi Playing Football

Ronaldo will square off against Messi in a friendly clash

Lionel Messi’s Paris St. Germain will play a friendly against an all-star team comprising players from Saudi clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. The match will see Ronaldo and Messi go against each other on January 19 in Riyadh.

Qatar-owned PSG will travel to Doha on January 17 before moving on to the Saudi capital for the match at the King Fahd Stadium, which will see Messi and Ronaldo renew their rivalry. Their rivalry grew over nine years when they came up against each other in Spain when Messi was starring for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr in a shocking move that saw him become the most expensive player of all time with a deal worth around $200 million per year. While his long-time competitor recently lifted the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy cementing his status as one of the game’s greats.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo hasn’t made his debut for the Saudi club. It is reported the superstar will be available for the friendly game. The game will broadcast live on PSG’s social media platforms for the benefit of fans.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski selects this player to win Ballon d’Or 2023

Barcelona’s star player Robert Lewandoski feels Lionel Messi’s World Cup win has made him a clear winner at the next Ballon d’Or ceremony. In his final World Cup campaign, Messi led the Albiceleste to glory in Qatar, scoring twice in the final before his side beat Kylian Mbappe and France in the penalty shootout.

Lewandowski said: “There is maybe one more player who plays for the same club, but there is only one World Cup that decides who is going to win it this season, and Leo is now in the top position for sure because of what he has achieved which means everything to him. He now can enjoy it.”

Lionel Messi was in supreme form at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The PSG star scored 7 goals in the tournament, winning the Golden Ball.

As per reports, there was some talk surrounding Messi’s return to Barcelona. Upon being quizzed regarding the same, Lewandowski said, “It’s not up to me. But compared to other times, he is now the footballer that any striker would dream of playing alongside him.”

However, 90min understands PSG are convinced Messi will stay in France and sign a new contract, though the Argentina forward is not looking to commit for more than 18 months.

Lionel Messi In blue and white verticle line jersey

90min Football ranks Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time

Lionel Messi, who recently won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, has been voted the greatest footballer of all time by 90min football. As per the report, Messi occupies the first spot, followed by fellow Argentine legend Diego Maradona and Brazil’s once-in-a-generation player Pele.

Lionel Messi has a lot of extraordinary achievements to his name. But the World Cup trophy eluded him. Now with the World Cup win, the forward has cemented his G.O.A.T. status. The greatest goal-scorer in Barcelona’s history has been voted UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2011 & 2015 and won the 2014 & 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. He was also voted the 2005 Young European Footballer of the Year, among many other achievements.

The year 2012 saw Messi in his prime. At his peak, he scored 91 goals in a calendar year, won six Ballon d’Or, and a boatload of club honours; in his relative decline, he won another Ballon d’Or and guided Argentina to their third World Cup triumph by putting in one of the greatest individual tournament performances we’ve ever seen.

As per the report, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cryuff are ranked 4 and 5, respectively. The other footballers who are ranked in the top 10 comprise Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michel Platini and Roberto Baggio.

With Messi being ranked as the greatest footballer of all time, the debate about Ronaldo vs Messi should be put to an end. Do you think Messi is truly the greatest footballer? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Lionel Messi

Messi’s World Cup winning post becomes the 2nd most-liked on Instagram

Lionel Messi’s Argentina broke the Internet after winning the thrilling World Cup final against France. The team won 4-2 in penalties after the game was tied 3-3 in normal time. Messi, who scored a brace, made a heartfelt post on Instagram after lifting the World Cup trophy.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

The post saw Messi thanking his teammates, family and Argentina fans along with photos of him celebrating with the trophy. The Instagram post read, “CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!! 🌎🏆 So many times I dreamed it, so much I wanted it that I still don’t fall, I can’t believe it…… Thank you so much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believed in us. We prove once again that Argentinians when we fight together and united we are able to achieve what we aim. The merit is of this group, which is above individuals, is the strength of all fighting for the same dream that was also the one of all Argentinians… We did it!!! LET’S GO ARGENTINA DAMN!!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 We’re seeing each other very soon.”

Lionel Messi’s post has got over 53.6 million likes and 1.5 million comments making it the second most-liked post on Instagram. The Instagram post is only a few million likes behind Chris Godfrey’s post of “The Egg“, which has 55.8 million likes.

Earlier this year, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s post for a Louis Vuitton ad campaign became the second-most liked post on Instagram. With this post, Messi has gone one step ahead and currently holds the second rank. Will it become the numero uno most-liked Instagram post? Only time will tell.

Ronaldo vs Messi: Who is the G.O.A.T.?

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who is the real G.O.A.T.?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have re-defined the meaning of football for an entire generation. Even while being on the wrong side of their 30s, these 2 footballing demi-gods are still making all the headlines. The greatest rivalry in the history of sports started in Spain, with Ronaldo and Messi representing Real Madrid and Barcelona in their prime. While Lionel Messi is a proper Barcelona product, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Real Madrid as a superstar when he was just 25 years old. Ronaldo vs Messi was peak football, and there won’t be a rivalry bigger than this. 

The footballing world is just divided into two halves, Ronaldo fans vs Messi fans. However, no matter whom you support, you can not deny the greatness of the other. Both Messi and Ronaldo have created history with back-to-back glories for their teams and respective countries. Messi and Ronaldo have made each other better in each career stage. Let’s have a look at their respective careers. 

Cristiano Ronaldo 

It is safe to say that Cristiano Ronaldo is the most famous athlete in the world. He has over 500 million followers on Instagram, making him the most followed human in the world. Former Manchester United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson spotted Ronaldo during a friendly match between United and Sporting Lisbon back in 2003. Sir Alex Ferguson knew Ronaldo was meant for greatness, so he signed the 18-year-old Portugal winger in 2003. 

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – SEPTEMBER 08: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on September 8, 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by David Lidstrom/Getty Images)

Ronaldo took the Premier League by storm right from his first season. Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 and his first Champions League in 2009. He also won three Premier League titles with Manchester United before joining Real Madrid in 2009. Ronaldo became the best player in the world when he joined the Spanish side. He was the leader of the pack, which won 4 Champions League, 3 at a trot. Ronaldo won 4 of his 5 Ballon d’Or while playing for Real Madrid. 

Ronaldo scored a total of 450 goals for Real Madrid and became the club’s highest goal scorer in the process. Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018 after winning his last Champions League with Real Madrid the same year. Ronaldo scored a total of 101 goals for Juventus and then returned to his former club Manchester United in 2021, a return which ended in unfortunate terms. 

Cristiano Ronaldo won the prestigious UEFA Euro 2016 with Portugal. Adding to that, he also led his side to the UEFA National League glory in 2019. Ronaldo holds the records for most appearances (183), goals (140), and assists (42) in the Champions League, goals in the European Championship (14), international goals (118), and joint-most international appearances (196). Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a total of 819 goals in his career, the most by any player in the world. Ronaldo has won 34 senior trophies in his career. 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal records: 

  1. 2002–2003 Sporting CP 25 (3)
  2. 2003–2009 Manchester United 196 (84) 
  3. 2009–2018 Real Madrid 292 (311) 
  4. 2018–2021 Juventus 98 (81) 
  5. 2021–2022 Manchester United 40 (19) 
  6. 2003– Portugal 196 (118) 

List of major trophies won by Ronaldo 

  • Ballon D’or: 5
  • Champions League: 5
  • Premier League: 3
  • LaLiga: 2
  • Serie A: 2
  • UEFA Euro 2016
  • UEFA Nations League

Famous People who prefer Ronaldo Over Messi: 

1) Pele 

“Today, the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo,” the Brazilian superstar said in 2020. “I think he’s the best because he’s more consistent, but you can’t forget about [Lionel] Messi, of course, but he’s not a striker.” 

2) Roberto Carlos 

“I watch him [Cristiano] train every day, and the way he works is exciting,” the Brazilian said. “He wants to improve every day. That’s the difference with Messi. “Leo is a phenomenon, but that side of Cristiano, of training, professionalism, focus, motivation, success… Cristiano has an advantage over all the others.” 

3) Sir Alex Ferguson 

“Now, don’t get me wrong, Messi is a fantastic player; it’s like he’s wearing slippers when he controls the ball,” Ferguson said. “But here, for me, is the difference. Messi is a Barcelona player. “Ronaldo could play for Stockport County and score a hat-trick. He just wanted to be the best in the world.” 

4) Zinedine Zidane 

“Cristiano is the best,” the Frenchman said. “Messi is his rival, and it’s the rivalry everyone wants to see. “But Ronaldo is phenomenal. There are no words to describe him. He is much better than me, even though I had a great career. He’s the greatest of all time.” 

5) Kylian Mbappe 

“From one year to the next, my choice changes between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, even if I have to admit to picking Ronaldo more often,” the Paris Saint-Germain forward said. “I loved him when I was younger.”

6) Ryan Giggs 

“Well, obviously, I played with Cristiano so I’m going to go with Cristiano. “But they’re both two great players. We’re living in an era where you’re seeing true legends at their best going head-to-head each season. “It’s special to see, but Cristiano has done it in Portugal; he’s obviously done it in England, and he’s done it in La Liga and also on the national front with Portugal as well. “I think Cristiano, for me, just pips it, but only just.” 

7) Iker Casillas 

“I’d choose Cristiano over Messi because he’s a player who gives us so much every season, and he’s a player I spend time with every day.” 

Lionel Messi 

Lionel Messi made his Barcelona debut on October 16, 2004, against arch-rivals Espanyol; the rest is history. Messi is unlike any player to grace the beautiful game. He is an alien in form of a human, and that is enough said about his greatness. Lionel Messi spent 17 years in Barcelona and, in that span, scored a total of 520 goals in just 474 appearances. The Argentine has won a record number of 7 Ballon d’Ors, two more than Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Argentina loses against Saudi Arabia

Messi’s Argentina lose against Saudi Arabia. The credit for the image goes to Planet Sports

Lionel Messi has won two trebles in his glorious career. Lionel Messi won his first Ballon d’Or in 2010 and later went on to win 3 more at a trot. Messi scored 91 goals in the calendar year 2012, a record which is yet to be broken, or we can safely say, will never be broken. Lionel Messi is more than his goals; he is also a playmaker. He contributes more to the game than his goals, which sets him apart from any other player in the world. Lionel Messi won the Copa America with Argentina, his first major international trophy. Messi joined PSG in 2021. 

Lionel Messi’s goals record 

  1. 2004–2021 Barcelona 520 (474)
  2. 2021– Paris Saint-Germain 39 (13)
  3. 2005– Argentina 170 (95)

List of major trophies won by Messi 

  • Ballon d’Or: 7
  • Champions League: 4
  • LaLiga: 10
  • Ligue 1: 1
  • Club World Cup: 3
  • Copa America: 1

Famous footballers who prefer Messi Over Ronaldo: 

1) Diego Maradona: 

“I can’t remember having seen Lionel Messi play badly. “I prefer Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, but I acknowledge that the latter is an animal. Football history will remember Messi. Football has given him

a lot, as much as he has given the sport and to win a World Cup, in my opinion, wouldn’t bring him anything else.” 

2) Paul Scholes: 

“Messi [is the best], but Ronaldo is brilliant,” the former England midfielder said. “Ronaldo is sensational at what he does, with pace and power. “He scores; he takes free-kicks. But as an all-round footballer, Messi – wow, his passing – he has absolutely everything.” “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.” 

3) David Beckham: 

“They have similarities in their technical skills and talent, and it is amazing for football to have them both present, but Messi is simply the best player in the world,” the former England captain commented. “He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player; it is impossible that there is another like him. He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest.” 

4) Thiery Henry: 

“I played alongside Leo, so there’s my answer,” the Frenchman said. “I have an enormous amount of respect for Cristiano as someone who has maintained such a high level for several years. “It’s one thing to have a good season and then have another four years later, but to keep up with that level for consecutive years is something else. “People realize it, of course, but I feel like we still don’t grasp the real measure of what these two are doing. In the future, people will look back in awe at the continuity, the goals, and the pressure that comes along with doing this for so long. “So I’m full of respect for Ronaldo, but I played with Leo and had extraordinary moments with him; we lost and won together, so that is all I have to say about Leo.” 

5) Johan Cruyff 

“Messi is much more a team player than Cristiano is. “He scores but also produces many assists. For me, as a player, Messi is better. There is a big difference between being just a great goalscorer and being the best player. 

“Every person that understands football knows this. It’s absolutely ridiculous to me that some people actually think Messi isn’t the best. “This isn’t about Cristiano at all. He’s a fantastic player, one of the best goalscorers ever. This is about how ridiculously good Messi is.” 

6) Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

“I think Messi is one of a kind,” the Swede said in 2016. “What he’s doing, I don’t know if we will see another player do the things that he does. “It is different [with Ronaldo] because he is the result of hard training. It is not natural.”

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Who is the G.O.A.T.?



While it is impossible to name one of them as the bigger GOAT, according to us, Ronaldo edges past Messi. With all due respect to Messi, Ronaldo has won leagues in 3 different countries, has more goals than the Argentine and has won more Champions League titles than him.

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