Is Messi Ronaldo the GOAT?

The debate over who is the greatest of all time (GOAT) in soccer has been raging for years. On one side of the debate is Lionel Messi, the Barcelona and Argentina legend who has won six Ballon d’Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes. On the other side is Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar who has won five Ballon d’Or awards and four European Golden Shoes. So, who is the GOAT?

To answer this question, it is important to look at the individual achievements of each player. Messi has won 10 La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona. He has also won the FIFA Club World Cup four times. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has won seven league titles, but unlike Messi, he can claim to have won the league in three different countries (England, Spain and Italy) – something that increases his claim to the GOAT crown in the eyes of some.

When it comes to individual awards, both players have had remarkable careers. Messi has won six Ballon d’Or awards, while Ronaldo has won five. Messi has also won six European Golden Shoes, while Ronaldo has won four. However, Ronaldo has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, something that Messi has never achieved.

In terms of international success, Messi has had more success than Ronaldo. Messi has won the Olympic gold medal with Argentina in 2008, while Ronaldo has never won a major international tournament with Portugal. However, Ronaldo has reached the final of the UEFA European Championship twice, while Messi has never reached the final of a major international tournament.

When it comes to goalscoring, both players have been prolific. Messi has scored 672 goals in 755 appearances for Barcelona, while Ronaldo has scored 636 goals in 837 appearances for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus and Portugal. However, Ronaldo has scored more goals in international matches, with 103 goals in 164 appearances for Portugal, compared to Messi’s 70 goals in 138 appearances for Argentina.

So, who is the GOAT? Ultimately, it is impossible to definitively answer this question. Both Messi and Ronaldo have had remarkable careers and have achieved incredible individual and team success. However, Ronaldo’s ability to win league titles in three different countries and his international success with Portugal may give him the edge in the eyes of some. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide who they think is the GOAT.