The debate of who is football’s GOAT between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is an intriguing one which will likely rage on forever – but Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has made it clear which side of the argument he is on.
Both players are nearing the end of their careers but have dazzled on the field, being the top two players of the last 15 years.
Messi, who has secured the Ballon d’Or eight times, rose through Barcelona’s youth ranks and won numerous trophies with the club, cementing a legacy considered by many as the greatest of all time.
During his tenure at Barcelona, he scored an impressive 672 goals in 778 appearances, clinching 10 La Liga titles and the Champions League four times.
After leaving Barcelona in 2021, Messi spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain in France before joining Inter Miami in the MLS last summer.
On the other hand, Ronaldo has earned five Ballon d’Or awards throughout a career that included stints with Sporting CP, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United (twice), and currently Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
At 39, Ronaldo has won league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, along with five Champions League trophies during his time at Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Both players have also achieved international success: Ronaldo with Portugal in the European Championships and UEFA Nations League, and Messi with Argentina in the World Cup and two Copa America titles.
The debate over who is the true GOAT of football continues to split opinions among players and fans alike. Recently, Chelsea forward Palmer, who netted 25 goals for the club after his move from Manchester City, has shared his perspective on the ongoing discussion.
Palmer participated in a knockout challenge with GOAL, where he selected Kevin De Bruyne as the best player he has played with, Messi as his childhood idol, Kylian Mbappe as the current top player in the world, and Wayne Rooney as the greatest English player of all time.
He also chose himself as the player he would trust to take a crucial penalty, Toni Kroos as the best passer, Neymar as the best dribbler, and CR7 as the greatest all-time finisher.
In a final knockout round between the eight players he named, Palmer ultimately chose Messi over Ronaldo.
