Former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller has officially shifted his stance in the long-running GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
For over a decade, the footballing world has been split over who deserves the crown of the “greatest of all time.” With 13 Ballon d’Ors shared between them and a staggering collection of goals, trophies, and records, both Messi and Ronaldo have left an indelible mark on football history.
Until recently, Müller leaned toward Ronaldo. But Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar proved to be a decisive moment for him.
“Lionel Messi is the GOAT. In my first 10 years as a professional player, I would have chosen Cristiano Ronaldo. But since the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, it’s been Messi for me. Now, as I get older and more romantic, playing style and aesthetics are more important to me than just performance and work ethic,” Müller admitted.
Messi’s artistry, vision, and ability to elevate his team on the grandest stage tipped the scales. Müller even acknowledged his personal struggles against the Argentine maestro:
“Both are absolutely crazy. I don’t know why it worked so often against him [Messi].”
Statistically, the rivalry remains razor-tight:
-
Ronaldo leads in overall career goals and holds one more Champions League medal.
-
Messi surpasses in assists, boasts 13 league titles compared to Ronaldo’s 7, and holds more domestic cups and Super Cups.
While Ronaldo continues his journey with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Messi thrives at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). The debate may never truly end, but for Müller — and for many fans swayed by the magic of Qatar — Messi has secured the GOAT crown.
Also on TTI:
NDMA Warns of “Extreme” Situation
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a severe flood warning for Punjab, citing relentless monsoon rains and India’s release of dam waters. Authorities fear that Lahore and adjoining districts may face exceptionally high flooding in the next 48 hours.
