Alex Iwobi chooses the GOAT between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
- Alex Iwobi named Lionel Messi the “best player in the world,” despite acknowledging the greatness of Cristiano Ronaldo
- Iwobi recalled his Champions League debut against Barcelona in 2016, where Messi’s aura and star-studded teammates left a lasting impression
- He described Ronaldo as efficient and clinical, while Messi was untouchable on the ball, with defenders unable to even approach him
A new chapter in the long-running rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has been highlighted by Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi acknowledged the extraordinary talent of both football icons, but discloses that one of them holds a special place in his admiration, naming him the “best player in the world.”
Source: Getty Images
Ronaldo or Messi: Iwobi chooses his GOAT
For over two decades, the debate over the greatest of all time has centred on Messi and Ronaldo, who have combined to win 13 Ballon d’Or awards and defined an era of football excellence.
Speaking on the “Beast Mode On” podcast, via GOAL, Iwobi admitted he always chooses Messi when asked between the two.
He reflected on his experiences facing both superstars, noting that while Ronaldo’s presence felt “incredible,” his encounter with Messi at the Camp Nou was on another level due to the star-studded Barcelona team at the time, including Neymar, Luis Suárez, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Dani Alves, and Víctor Valdés.
"I always say Messi. It was different because when I played against Ronaldo, the aura was incredible, but when I played against him at Camp Nou and there were him, Neymar, [Luis] Suárez, [Andrés] Iniesta, Xavi, Dani Alves, Víctor Valdés-there were names and more names," he said.
Source: Getty Images
Iwobi also recalled his first Champions League start against Barcelona in March 2016, a difficult night for Arsenal in the round of 16.
"This was my first Champions League start and I'm walking out and all you're hearing is, 'Messi, Messi'. Man, there's other superstars! I'm looking to my left, all of them are small by the way. Neymar's quite small. Messi's extra small... tiny, like tiny, tiny. I thought, 'Nah, there's no way', in my head, there's no way this guy has this much of a presence as a baller," he added.
He further contrasts both legends, explaining that Ronaldo felt more direct and “efficient,” often finishing chances clinically, while Messi gave a completely different impression.
According to Iwobi, whenever Messi had the ball, it felt like an untouchable zone formed around him where defenders could not even attempt a tackle.
"Obviously when I played Ronaldo, it was a different stage of his career. He's just like efficient, get him the ball, he's going to score. Whereas when I played against Messi, every time he had the ball, there was like a radius where no one could enter that and tackle him.
Messi ranked as GOAT among 55 players
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Messi has once again found himself at the centre of football’s greatest debate after being ranked as the finest player in history on a newly released list of the sport’s all-time greats.
His long-time rival Ronaldo, however, endured a surprising drop, finishing outside the top 10.
Source: YEN.com.gh
