Argentine great Lionel Messi and Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo have long been involved in a debate about who is the best soccer player in history. And one former Real Madrid star has hinted that the Inter Miami captain is the greatest of all time.
Lionel Messi Rated Higher Than Cristiano Ronaldo
During a recent interaction on DAZN Futbol, former Argentina and Los Blancos ace Ezequiel Garay was asked whether Ronaldo was the best player he has ever played with. The former Benfica defender replied in the negative, lauding Messi in the process.
“No, he is not. The number one is Leo and number two is Cristiano… without a doubt. They are two very different players. But, the one who surprised me the most is Leo. I have been fortunate enough to play with both of them and Leo is something else,” he said.
Garay, 39, relished a 16-year-long professional career from 2004 to 2020, representing his national team 32 times. He shared the pitch with Messi a total of 41 times, while featuring for Argentina’s senior team, the 2008 Olympic side, and the Under-20 team.
On the other hand, the former Valencia and Zenit Saint Petersburg centre-back also played alongside Ronaldo 23 times at Real Madrid in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. He tasted success in the Copa del Rey with the Portuguese during his Los Blancos stint.
Asked to open up more on his former Real Madrid teammate, Garay acknowledged the 40-year-old’s unwavering discipline and work ethic, referring to an anecdote.
“The story that (former Argentina striker) Carlos Tevez always tells is true. He’s the first to arrive and the last to leave (a training session). He starts his routine, his gym session, his warm-up, his physio… all that to always be in the best condition,” he remarked.
While the Portuguese is currently competing for Al-Nassr in the ongoing 2025-26 campaign, the Argentine is touring South America as part of Inter Miami’s preseason.
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Meanwhile, Garay’s ex-Argentina teammate and Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has suggested that Messi would feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Asked if the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner could grace the quadrennial tournament, the ex-Barcelona, Liverpool, and River Plate star responded, “Yes, why not?”
Messi, 38, has yet to officially confirm his participation at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. He has reportedly been keeping in touch with Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and could play in his sixth FIFA World Cup, hoping to defend his team’s title this summer.
