Cole Palmer didn’t hesitate when choosing between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate
The debate of who is football’s GOAT between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is an intriguing one which will likely rage on forever – but Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has made it clear which side of the argument he is on.
Both players are nearing the end of their careers but have dazzled on the field, being the top two players of the last 15 years.
Messi, who has secured the Ballon d’Or eight times, rose through Barcelona’s youth ranks and won numerous trophies with the club, cementing a legacy considered by many as the greatest of all time.
During his tenure at Barcelona, he scored an impressive 672 goals in 778 appearances, clinching 10 La Liga titles and the Champions League four times.
After leaving Barcelona in 2021, Messi spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain in France before joining Inter Miami in the MLS last summer.
On the other hand, Ronaldo has earned five Ballon d’Or awards throughout a career that included stints with Sporting CP, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United (twice), and currently Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
At 39, Ronaldo has won league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, along with five Champions League trophies during his time at Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Both players have also achieved international success: Ronaldo with Portugal in the European Championships and UEFA Nations League, and Messi with Argentina in the World Cup and two Copa America titles.
The debate over who is the true GOAT of football continues to split opinions among players and fans alike. Recently, Chelsea forward Palmer, who netted 25 goals for the club after his move from Manchester City, has shared his perspective on the ongoing discussion.Palmer participated in a knockout challenge with GOAL, where he selected Kevin De Bruyne as the best player he has played with, Messi as his childhood idol, Kylian Mbappe as the current top player in the world, and Wayne Rooney as the greatest English player of all time.
He also chose himself as the player he would trust to take a crucial penalty, Toni Kroos as the best passer, Neymar as the best dribbler, and CR7 as the greatest all-time finisher.
In a final knockout round between the eight players he named, Palmer ultimately chose Messi over Ronaldo.Cole Palmer, the Chelsea forward who recently joined from Manchester City, has made his stance clear in the ongoing debate about football’s greatest player of all time (GOAT). During a knockout challenge with GOAL, Palmer selected Lionel Messi as the ultimate choice over Cristiano Ronaldo. While both players have had extraordinary careers, with Messi winning eight Ballon d’Or awards and Ronaldo securing five, Palmer’s decision reflects his admiration for Messi’s consistent brilliance over the years.
In the challenge, Palmer also expressed his views on other top players, picking Kevin De Bruyne as the best player he has played with, Kylian Mbappe as the current top player in the world, and Wayne Rooney as the greatest English player of all time. Despite recognizing Ronaldo as the greatest finisher, Palmer ultimately gave the edge to Messi when deciding between the two footballing legends. This endorsement from a young and rising star like Palmer adds another voice to the never-ending Messi vs. Ronaldo debate.
