GOAT Debate: When Lionel Messi named the only player who is on his level

One of the enduring debates in global football revolves around the concept of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) – attempting to discern the most exceptional player in the sport's history, encompassing legendary figures from different eras.

Inquire about the top footballer, and numerous names emerge: Diego Maradona, Pele, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario, Oliver Kahn, Gianluigi Buffon, and the roster continues.

However, the discourse around the GOAT title in the last couple of decades has consistently revolved around two legendary veterans: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

According to Sportbible, Messi and Ronaldo are widely regarded as the football GOATs, thanks to what they have achieved over the years in their respective careers.

Even remarkable achievements like Messi's triumph at the 2022 World Cup with La Albiceleste or the multitude of goal-scoring records set by the 38-year-old Al-Nassr captain have been unable to settle the debate conclusively.

Messi names the greatest players

When questioned about a player he deems on par with his own greatness, Messi had only one name in his thoughts: Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to GOAL, the duo has been at the forefront of global football dominance with an astounding 12 Ballon d'Or awards between them. The Argentine won seven times while the Portuguese earned five.

Messi told Radio 94.7 Club Octubre, via Football Espana:

“There are so many good players now. Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Luis Suarez, Eden Hazard, any of them could become the best in the world.”

“I didn’t include Cristiano Ronaldo in that list, because I consider him to be on the same level as me. It was fun to play against him, even if he made me suffer too. It irritated me seeing Real Madrid lift trophies.