Barcelona icon Ronaldinho once refrained from labeling his former teammate Lionel Messi as the greatest of all time (GOAT).
Messi, 36, is widely regarded as one of the finest players in football history. Since his debut two decades ago as a promising teenager at Barca, the Argentine maestro has left an indelible mark on the sport.
He has amassed over 800 goals for club and country, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo (874) in men’s football. Additionally, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has clinched numerous prestigious titles in both club and international arenas.
Among his accolades are 10 La Liga trophies, four UEFA Champions League triumphs, two Ligue 1 championships, one FIFA World Cup victory, one COPA America title, and a record eight Ballon d’Or honors. However, after Messi secured his sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019, Ronaldinho refrained from hailing him as the GOAT, stating to Marca (via Sport Bible):
“I’m glad Messi won the Ballon d’Or. We were also friends during our time at Barcelona. But I don’t like to compare, and I find it difficult to say he is the best of all time.”
Instead, the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner dubbed Messi the ‘best of his era’:
“There was Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo. … it’s hard to say that Messi is the best throughout the history of football. I can only say he’s the best of his era.”
Now plying his trade at Inter Miami, where he joined last summer on a free transfer, Messi kicks off his first full MLS season at home against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday (February 21).
