Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Thomas Müller’s Surprising Pick
For nearly 20 years, the debate over who is the greatest footballer of all time—Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi—has divided fans and experts alike. And recently, Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller weighed in with a choice that raised eyebrows.
During a past interview, Müller picked Ronaldo over Messi. His reason? Personal experience. “Against Messi, I have good stats. Against Ronaldo, not so much,” he said with a smile. It was a rare, honest answer from a player who has battled both legends on football’s biggest stages.
Historically, Müller’s Bayern Munich have fared well against Messi-led teams, notably during the 8-2 Champions League thrashing of Barcelona in 2020—a match where Müller starred with two goals and an assist. In contrast, facing Ronaldo—especially during his Real Madrid years—was tougher. Madrid often bested Bayern, and Ronaldo’s hat-trick in the 2017 Champions League quarterfinals left a lasting impression.
Müller’s choice wasn’t about trophies or skills, but about who challenged him more. It’s a perspective rooted in direct competition, not public opinion or statistics.
Despite his pick, Müller respects both players immensely. And Ronaldo, in turn, has shown admiration for Messi, even telling Piers Morgan that Messi is the best player he’s seen—while cheekily hinting he still considers himself the best.
Ultimately, Müller’s view adds depth to the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate. It’s not about dismissing one over the other, but acknowledging how each uniquely impacts the game—and their opponents. For Müller, Ronaldo simply posed a bigger challenge, making his vote both personal and authentic.
