8 teammates of Messi, Ronaldo who settled GOAT debate

The debate about who the greatest footballer of all time is between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will forever rage on even when their generations have passed.

27 players have had the rare privilege of lining up alongside both as teammates in their club or national teams, and 25 of them have had their say in the debate.

Sports Brief looks at eight teammates of both men who sided with the Argentine.

Teammates who chose Messi over Ronaldo

1. Sergio Ramos

The Real Madrid legend played alongside Ronaldo in Spain for nine seasons and two seasons alongside Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. Per Express UK, the Spaniard’s tone in the GOAT debate changed when he played with his former rival in Paris.

2. Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria has been pivotal in Messi’s journey in Argentina's white and blue colours. The Benfica winger scored in both the Copa America and World Cup finals, and they won. Unsurprisingly, he chose his compatriot over his former Real Madrid teammate.


3. Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez formed a deadly trio with Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at Manchester United and won two consecutive Premier League titles together. He lost three Copa America finals with his compatriot, but that didn't stop him from naming him the best, even though he acknowledged his former clubmate as a great player via Sportskeeda.

4. Gerard Pique

Pique spent time with the Portuguese at United before spending most of his career at Barcelona alongside the Inter Miami captain. Per ESPN, he described Ronaldo as the greatest human and claimed his former Barca teammate was not human.

5. Lisandro Martinez

The butcher played with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner at Manchester United for a few months before the 39-year-old’s contract was terminated after an explosive interview. Martinez has been with Messi in the national team since 2019, and they have won three trophies together.

6. Fernando Gago

Gago spent four seasons in Madrid, two with the Portuguese international and racked up over 50 national team appearances with the Argentina captain. Per The Sun, he claimed Ronaldo cannot be the number 1.

7. Ezequiel Garay

Garay admitted his mind was made up on the former Newell's Old Boys star since he saw him with the Argentina U15. He had limited appearances with his rival at Real Madrid.

8. Henrikh Larsson

The Swedish great played alongside both players during their early years before any of them won a Ballon d'Or. He claimed Ronaldo was unlucky to have played in the same era as Messi, who was a better footballer.