Marseille star casts GOAT vote between Messi and Ronaldo

Marseille star casts GOAT vote between Messi and Ronaldo originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The GOAT debate has remained one of football’s longest-running discussions that has divided fans across generations.

The Fans and players generation have weighed on debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and they continue to do so.

Messi’s numbers clearly show his influence on the game - Argentine forward has scored 884 goals and provided 395 assists in 1127 appearances at an average of a goal every 105 minutes and a goal contribution every 72.

His performances have yielded eight Ballon d’Or titles, a World Cup and a career filled with defining moments.

Ronaldo’s career has been built on relentless pursuit of excellence - the Portuguese forward has scored 946 goals and registered 258 assists in 1289 matches at an average of a goal every 111 minutes and a contribution every 88 and his record across England, Spain, Italy and Portugal clearly shows his longevity and adaptability..

Marseille star picks his GOAT between Messi and Ronaldo

Mason Greenwood, who has started strongly for Olympique de Marseille with three goals and four assists in nine matches this season spoke about his football idols during an interview with the club’s media on Wednesday.

The English forward when asked to chose between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo gave a blunt admission .

“Messi, he is the greatest player of all time," he said,

His admiration for Messi is not recent. In a 2021 Q&A session while at Manchester United, Greenwood had described Messi as his choice for the greatest player ever.

“For me, it’s always got to be Messi,” he said.

🚨🗣️ Mason Greenwood: "Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Messi, he is the greatest player of all time." pic.twitter.com/qwNDb918uT

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 9, 2025

However, former Man United star didn’t forget to praise Cristiano Ronaldo for his work ethics.

“For me, he’s just on another planet. “Ronaldo is obviously amazing, a physical, great athletic footballer. But to do what Messi does at his size, what he’s done for Barcelona and winning that trophy for Argentina, he is just on another level.”