Messi, 37, and Ronaldo, 40, are constantly compared by fans and are widely believed to be the game’s two greatest-ever players — with 13 Ballon d’Or wins – eight for Messi and five for Ronaldo – between them boosting their case for GOAT status.
But who were the other four players mentioned in MARCA’s list?
It should come as no surprise that South American legends Pele and Diego Maradona were also featured on the list. Together, the two of them have won four World Cups, making them a formidable pair.
On the list, Messi came in first place, followed by Ronaldo in second place, Pele in third place, and not Maradona to finish in fourth place.
Instead of going with another player, the Spanish tabloid went with Alfredo Di Stefano, a former attacker for Real Madrid.
It is generally agreed upon that Di Stefano, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 88, is one of the finest players in the history of Los Blancos. Between the years 1953 and 1964, he played for the La Liga team and scored 306 goals in 392 matches.
Following that, Maradona was ranked fifth on Marca’s list, with Johan Cruyff, a former player for Ajax, Barcelona, and the Netherlands, coming in at number six.
With regard to the Big Six, all of them have an outstanding track record, as Marca said. As a result of the fact that Messi has taken home more victories than anyone else, he is regarded as the most successful player in the history of the sport.
The ‘MARCA America Award’ was bestowed upon Messi as a consequence of this achievement.
GOAT discussion between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
As Ronaldo and Messi are at the top of the list, what have they previously stated about the argument over the greatest player of all time?
At the beginning of this year, Ronaldo made the following statement to El Chringuito TV: “I was looking the other day, and despite the fact that I am not left-footed, I am among the top 10 goal scorers with their left foot in history.”
“And with my head, with my right foot, and with penalties,” she said. Everyone of them.”
“I’m talking about numbers,” he repeated after that. “I believe that I am the most complete player that has ever done anything. From my point of view, I believe that it is me.
In football, I am proficient in all aspects of the game, including my head, free kicks, and left foot. I am quick, and I am powerful.
“One thing is taste; if you like Messi, Pele, or Maradona, I understand and respect that; however, saying that Ronaldo isn’t complete is not accurate; I am the most complete.” I don’t know anyone who is more qualified than I am, and I say this from the bottom of my heart.
There are, of course, statistics that lend credence to both players’ claims; but, Messi has already won the World Cup, whilst Ronaldo has only experienced European glory on the international arena once, when Portugal won the 2014 European Championship.
So, what exactly has Messi stated in relation to this matter?
With that being said, the Inter Miami player has very sometimes provided direct responses to enquiries concerning the GOAT debate; however, he did provide a response in an interview with PAPER in 2018.
“I don’t consider myself the best, I think I am just another player,” remarked the Brazilian football player.
“On the pitch, we are all the same when the game begins.”
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