Roy Keane: "Ronaldo is better, but Messi is among the greats"

Why it matters

The debate between Roy Keane and his colleagues highlights the different opinions on the greatness of Lionel Messi compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, a topic that continues to divide football fans. Messi recently shone in the 2022 World Cup, where he achieved historic goals, but Keane underlines that Ronaldo remains a point of reference in football. This discussion is particularly relevant ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where Messi will have the opportunity to leave a further mark on history.

Context

Lionel Messi's career is characterized by extraordinary successes, including numerous trophies and individual awards. His recent triumph in the 2022 World Cup consolidated his position among the greatest of all time, but comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo continue to be a hot topic. With the 2026 World Cup in sight, his performance could further define his legacy in football.

Key points

  • Roy Keane: "Ronaldo is better, but Messi is among the greats".
  • During a debate, Roy Keane said that although Messi has achieved significant goals, he still does not surpass Cristiano Ronaldo.
  • «Роналду лучше». Рой Кин — на вопрос о том, можно ли ставить Месси выше Пеле и Марадоны.
The debate over who is better between Lionel Messi, Pelé and Diego Maradona continues to inflame the hearts of football fans. Recently, former Manchester United and Irish national team captain Roy Keane, together with Ian Wright and Gary Neville, analyzed Messi's place in football history. During an episode of The Overlap program, the three experts compared Messi's numbers and successes with those of legends of the past. Neville opened the discussion by asking whether the time had come to consider Messi superior to Pelé and Maradona. Keane responded in the affirmative, but immediately added that in his opinion Messi does not yet reach the level of Cristiano Ronaldo. “Of course, we can start discussing it after everything Messi has done,” Keane said, but insisted that Ronaldo's career still places him in a privileged position compared to the Argentine. The debate has also gained traction in light of Messi's recent performances in the 2022 World Cup, where he scored eight goals and provided four assists. With these numbers, Messi became the first player to exceed 20 goals in international tournaments, establishing himself as the best assist-man in the history of national team competitions. Keane enthusiastically welcomed Messi's achievements, highlighting the importance of his performances but keeping the focus on Ronaldo's overall impact. The discussion highlighted the different opinions circulating in the world of football regarding the greatness of players. While many already consider him among the best of all time, others, like Keane, are more cautious in placing him above historical figures of the caliber of Pelé and Maradona. The question of who is the best remains open, and with each tournament, like the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, there will surely be an opportunity to review and re-evaluate the careers of these extraordinary athletes. In any case, Messi's career is full of successes and records, making him an undisputed protagonist in the history of football. His ability to create chances and score goals has made him a beloved player around the world, and the debate over who is better only increases the interest around this football icon.

What happens now

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the confrontation between Messi and Ronaldo could intensify, especially if both decide to participate. Messi's performances in the tournament could further influence the debate over his footballing legacy. Furthermore, the attention of the media and fans will be on how these two football giants will face future challenges and whether they will be able to surpass the records they have set.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Roy Keane say about Messi and Ronaldo?

Roy Keane said Ronaldo is better, but acknowledged Messi is among the greats.

Who participated in the discussion about Messi?

In addition to Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Gary Neville also participated in the discussion about Messi's place in football history.

Why are we discussing Messi now?

The discussion emerged following Messi's recent performances in the 2022 World Cup, where he scored eight goals and provided four assists.

What changes have been highlighted in Messi's career?

Messi became the first player to exceed 20 goals in international tournaments and the best assist-man in the history of national team competitions.

What does Keane think about Messi compared to Pelé and Maradona?

Keane stated that we can start discussing whether Messi is superior to Pelé and Maradona, but maintained that Ronaldo is still in a privileged position.

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