Messi took 57.2% of the vote, Ronaldo took 31.1%, while Pele and Maradona shared 5.8% each. The Paris Saint German star’s exploits are certainly impressive, with a hugely-impressive collection of silverware in an overflowing trophy cabinet.
The Argentine has won seven Ballon d’Ors – more than any other player in history, along with 10 Spanish titles, four Champions Leagues and most recently his first French title with PSG among the highlights of an outstanding career.
He has been one part of an exhilarating rivalry with Ronaldo, as the two players’ battle for individual supremacy now reaches its twilight years.
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Ronaldo’s position in second and some 26.1% behind Messi seems rather harsh, especially as the Portuguese megastar has outshone his rival in a number of areas.
The 37-year-old may lag behind Messi’s Ballon d’Or total with five, but exceeds his adversary in terms of Champions League titles (5) and has won two major honours with his country – the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
To date, Messi has won a solitary trophy at international level – the Copa América in 2021.
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However, despite their undoubted talent and impressive achievements, neither player has won arguably the greatest trophy in football – the World Cup.
Messi reached the final with Argentina in 2014, but was on the losing side in a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Germany at the Maracanã.
The best CR7 has managed in the tournament was a fourth-place finish in 2006 following a 1-0 defeat to France in the semi-finals and 3-1 loss to hosts Germany in the third place play-off.
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In contrast, the international records of Pele and Maradona are much more impressive. Pele has won three World Cups, winning the first of those as a 17-year-old in 1958. Two more triumphs followed in 1962 and 1970.
He was also voted the World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics and shared the FIFA Player of the Century award with Maradona.
Meanwhile, Maradona’s exploits in taking an otherwise mediocre Argentina side to World Cup glory in 1986 have arguably propelled him above Messi on the international scene. He repeated those exploits at club level with an unfancied side at Napoli, winning two Italian titles and the UEFA Cup.
It remains to be seen if either Messi or Ronaldo can claim a first World Cup in Qatar later this year, and boost their claims to the G.O.A.T title.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, Football, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona
The SPORTbible Team