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GOAT debate

Is Messi the GOAT?

Eight Ballons d'Or, a World Cup, the all-time La Liga and Barcelona scoring records. The case for Messi as GOAT is now hard to argue against — but here it is from both sides.

Short answer
Messi

After 2022 Messi is, for many, the GOAT — but Ronaldo, Pelé and Maradona remain credible counter-cases depending on criteria.

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By the numbers

Metric
Messi
Ronaldo
Ballon d'Or
8 (record)
5
World Cup
1
0
All-time La Liga top scorer
Yes (474)
No

The case for Messi as GOAT

More Ballons d'Or than anyone, the 2022 World Cup, the highest goals+assists tally ever, and the all-time La Liga and Barcelona scoring records.

Against: Pelé's three World Cups, Ronaldo's longevity, and Maradona's 1986 single-handed tournament still have advocates.

Frequently asked

+Is Messi the GOAT?

By individual awards (8 Ballons d'Or) and the 2022 World Cup, he has the strongest case of any active player.

+How does this compare with the Messi vs Ronaldo debate overall?

After 2022 Messi is, for many, the GOAT — but Ronaldo, Pelé and Maradona remain credible counter-cases depending on criteria. For the full side-by-side across goals, trophies, Ballons d'Or and the World Cup, see our main Messi vs Ronaldo comparison.

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Every Messi vs Ronaldo comparison on the site — fully indexable.