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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine icon is most decorated player of all-time</li><li>CR7 considered to be greatest goalscorer</li><li>Spent their careers locked in battle to be the best</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi named the GOAT as eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo slips to fourth! Argentine superstar takes top spot ahead of Pele, Diego Maradona and Co

<p>Debate regarding who can be considered <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-goat-debate-compared-choosing-between-beautiful-women-world-cup-winner-seven-names-all-time-great-category/blt6ade46d941cde41d" target="_blank">the greatest player of all-time</a> has continued to rage over the course of several generations. In the present, Messi and Ronaldo - with 13 Ballons d’Or between them - <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-vs-cristiano-ronaldo-ex-barcelona-portugal-star-deco-diplomatic-ideal-world-answer-goat-debate/bltd40c84d158ed2236" target="_blank">dominate that discussion</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Argentine superstar Messi is the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">most decorated player in history, with 46 major titles</a> to his name, while Portuguese sensation <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-declares-himself-goat-ahead-lionel-messi-diego-maradona-pele-al-nassr-critics-lying/blt9887b0464a57622c" target="_blank">Ronaldo is considered to be the most prolific goalscorer</a> of this, or any other generation.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi, who <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-messi-lifts-world-cup-trophy-argentina-thrilling-penalty-shootout-france-goat/blt38b30d6ba3692fc1" target="_blank">completed his medal collection when winning the World Cup in 2022</a>, is considered by The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) to have cemented his status as the best player to have ever laced up a pair of boots.</p><p>Ronaldo, in contrast, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-trumps-lionel-messi-goat-debate-every-day-nations-league-rival-portuguese-never-written-off/blt239df49b9590da4e" target="_blank">sits off the podium</a> - with Brazil icon Pele and Argentine hero Diego Maradona occupying second and third spots respectively. The top five is completed by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IFFHS ALL TIME TOP 10<br>more about this news visit: (<a href="https://t.co/8fnuQxVekm">https://t.co/8fnuQxVekm</a>) <a href="https://t.co/Ab81bfH9ip">pic.twitter.com/Ab81bfH9ip</a></p>— IFFHS (@iffhs_media) <a href="https://twitter.com/iffhs_media/status/1923979540063228284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Ex-Brazil international striker Ronaldo, French maestro Zinedine Zidane, German legend Franz Beckenbaeur, Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano and Samba superstar Ronaldinho make up the rest of the top 10.</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Messi and Ronaldo are still going strong, with the latter having passed his 40th birthday. Inter Miami are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/few-weeks-lionel-messi-contract-extension-update-inter-miami-very-important-news-mls-argentine-goat/blt129874aed144fc20" target="_blank">hoping to keep talismanic No.10 Messi in MLS</a> for at least another year, while CR7 is mulling over his options ahead of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-return-impossible-al-nassr-exit-talk-portuguese-goat-back-roots-sporting/blt39a137ce76ce50db" target="_blank">hitting free agency at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr</a>.
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WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI & CRISTIANO RONALDO?

Lionel Messi named the GOAT as eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo slips to fourth! Argentine superstar takes top spot ahead of Pele, Diego Maradona and Co | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has been named the GOAT by IFFHS, with eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo only able to fill fourth spot on that star-studded list.