Cristiano Ronaldo has finally shared his thoughts on the long-standing GOAT debate that has surrounded him and Lionel Messi for years. Despite Messi’s World Cup win in Qatar two years ago, Ronaldo remains unfazed and believes the discussion is far from over.
Ronaldo on the World Cup and His Legacy
Over the years, Ronaldo and Messi have dominated European football, each building a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
When Messi won the World Cup in 2022, many fans and pundits felt the Argentine had secured his place as the greatest of all time. But, Ronaldo has a different perspective.
Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d’Or awards, spoke about the GOAT debate in a past interview and downplayed the idea that Messi’s World Cup victory settles the debate.
“Even if I win the World Cup, that will continue,” Ronaldo said. He likened the debate to personal preferences saying, “Some people like me more, some less. It’s like in life, some like blondes, some like brunettes.”
Ronaldo acknowledged his ambition but made it clear that his legacy is already solidified.
“I would love to win this tournament. I’m ambitious, but if you tell me I won’t win any more tournaments, I would still be happy given all I have won,” he added. For Ronaldo, his place in football history is already secured with or without a World Cup.
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The Next Chapter: Ronaldo and Messi Beyond Europe
Since Messi’s World Cup win, both players have moved on from European football. Ronaldo made headlines in January 2023 when he left Manchester United for the second time to join Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League.
His move has sparked a trend with several big names from Europe including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Neymar making the switch to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Messi took his talents to Major League Soccer, joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. His arrival in Miami was quickly followed by former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, all eager to reunite with the football icon.
As Ronaldo and Messi continue their careers in different parts of the world, the GOAT debate remains a hot topic. While Messi’s World Cup victory has added fuel to the fire, Ronaldo’s legacy and his millions of fans ensure that the discussion is far from over.
In the end, we can all agree to disagree that such competitiveness between any two players who shared the stage for almost 15 years is irreplicable anytime in the near future.