Muller’s late‑career shift crowns Messi GOAT over Ronaldo
German forward Thomas Muller used his recent guest spot on Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s The Late Run Show to settle the Messi‑Ronaldo GOAT debate, declaring Lionel Messi the greatest footballer after a decade of backing Cristiano Ronaldo and praising his joy‑inducing style that has endured for nearly two decades.
“Messi or Cristiano? I’ve been asked this question so many times, way too many times,” Muller said, adding that the first ten years of his career saw him side with Cristiano. “When I look at the whole picture, Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer, even though he’s now become a huge winner after what he achieved in 2022, what he did in the World Cup, and what he’s doing now too.”
Muller explained that his admiration for Messi goes beyond trophies and numbers, noting the joy of watching him play has lasted, he said, “nearly two decades; numbers, joy, and that’s why I say, Lionel Messi is the greatest.” He also recalled that early in his career he openly supported the Portuguese star, but over time his pick shifted toward the Argentine after being won over by the class of Messi’s style of play.
Head‑to‑head numbers with Messi and Ronaldo
Against Messi’s Barcelona, the German forward tallied eight goals and two assists in ten clashes, winning seven of those meetings while Messi secured three. He also faced Messi twice more during the Argentine’s stint at PSG, picking up back‑to‑back wins in the round of 16 of the 2023 Champions League.
On the international stage, Muller twice thwarted Messi’s World Cup ambitions: Germany demolished Argentina 4‑0 in the 2010 quarter‑finals and edged them 1‑0 in the 2014 final, denying Messi a maiden world title on both occasions.
When it comes to Ronaldo, the statistics tell a different story. Muller met the Portuguese forward eight times in Champions League knockout ties between 2012 and 2018, with Ronaldo scoring nine goals while Muller failed to find the net.
Real Madrid eliminated Bayern Munich in three of those four ties – the 2014 and 2017 quarter‑finals and the 2018 semi‑final – with Bayern’s sole victory coming via penalties back in 2012.