Di Maria shuts down GOAT argument, declares who's greater between Messi and Ronaldo

• Ángel Di María dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim as the GOAT, declaring Lionel Messi the greatest footballer in history
• Di María stated that Ronaldo had always wanted to be recognised as the best, but Messi’s talent and achievements put him in a league of his own
• Messi has won eight Ballon d’Ors, two Copa América titles, and the FIFA World Cup, accomplishments Ronaldo has not matched

In the never-ending debate over football’s greatest player, Argentine forward Ángel Di María has weighed in with a strong endorsement of Lionel Messi. 

Speaking in a recent interview, the former Real Madrid winger dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo’s self-proclaimed title as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), making it clear that, in his eyes, there is no contest, Messi stands alone as football’s finest.

Di María, who played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid for four seasons, stated that he was not surprised by the Portuguese star’s assertion. He recalled that such declarations were a regular occurrence during their time together, as Ronaldo always sought to be recognised as the best.

However, the Argentine made it clear that, despite Ronaldo’s immense talent, he had the ill-luck of playing in the same era as Messi, a player touched by a "magic wand."

“There is a very big difference,” Di María boasted in his countryman’s ability. 

He pointed to Messi’s unparalleled record of eight Ballon d'Or titles compared to Ronaldo’s five, emphasising how the accolades speak for themselves. He further noted Messi’s triumphs on the international stage, including winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles, achievements that Ronaldo has not replicated.

Di María continued, describing Messi’s unique style of play, 

“Messi plays as if he’s in his backyard, scoring goals as if it’s routine. He’s been doing it consistently for 18, 20 years. People say, ‘You already know what he’s going to do,’ yet nobody can stop him. Even at 40, he would still be capable of playing that tiki-taka style.”

While he acknowledged Ronaldo’s competitive drive and ability to make bold claims about his status, Di María left no doubt about where he stood in the debate, 

“For me, Leo Messi is the best in the world and the best in history, without a doubt.”

Messi’s legacy: A career like no other

Messi’s numbers back up Di María’s claim. The Argentine forward, now playing for Inter Miami, holds records that make him one of football’s greatest-ever players. 

With eight Ballon d'Ors, six European Golden Shoes, and a historic 35 trophies with FC Barcelona, his achievements remain unmatched.

His exceptional records include:

Most goals in La Liga (474)

Most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (8)

Most assists in La Liga (192) and the Copa América (17)

Most international goals by a South American male player (103)

With over 800 career goals, Messi’s dominance remains unquestionable.

Ronaldo mentions his favourite stadium and it's neither Santiago Bernabéu nor Old Trafford

Previously, TheRadar reported that five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo despite spending nine glorious years at Real Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time top scorer and lifted four Champions League titles, has admitted that his favourite stadium to play in was none other than Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

His long-standing rivalry with Lionel Messi made every El Clásico a heated one, and he thrived in the electric atmosphere that came with it.