Alex Iwobi has weighed in on football’s longest running debate, explaining his greatest player of all time despite admitting one possessing an unmatched presence whenever he stepped onto the pitch.
The Fulham and Super Eagles midfielder offered his verdict during an appearance on Adebayo Akinfenwa’s Beast Mode On podcast, drawing from personal experience after facing both global superstars during his professional career.
“It’s a tough one,” Iwobi admitted when asked to choose between the two football legends. “It’s tough for me. I always say Messi.”
Rather than comparing statistics or trophies, the former Arsenal midfielder based his decision on what he witnessed first-hand against both players at different stages of their careers.
Iwobi explained that when he came up against Ronaldo, the Portuguese icon had already evolved into one of football’s most ruthless penalty box finishers.
“When I played against Ronaldo, don’t get me wrong, the aura is crazy, but it was a different stage of his career,” he said. “It was just about efficiency, getting into the box and scoring.”
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Iwobi made his first UEFA Champions League start for Arsenal at Camp Nou in March 2016, facing one of Barcelona’s most celebrated teams featuring Messi alongside Neymar, Luis Suárez and Andrés Iniesta.
Despite the abundance of world-class stars on the pitch, the atmosphere inside the stadium revolved around one player.
“When I played against Messi at the Nou Camp, they had Neymar, Suarez, Iniesta… there’s just names on names on names,” Iwobi recalled.
“You head out of the tunnel, and the fans are chanting Messi’s name. Meanwhile, there are other superstars.”
Barcelona went on to win the tie 3-1, with Messi, Suárez and Neymar all getting on the scoresheet, while Mohamed Elneny netted Arsenal’s consolation goal.
The comments add another chapter to football’s enduring GOAT debate, one that has divided fans for more than a decade. Messi’s record includes multiple Ballon d’Or titles, a FIFA World Cup triumph with Argentina and numerous club honours with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, remains the all time leading scorer in men’s international football and has won league titles in England, Spain and Italy, as well as five UEFA Champions League crowns.
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Ronaldo’s aura was undeniable, but Messi’s influence on the pitch and the reverence he inspired from supporters ultimately earned the Argentine the Nigerian midfielder’s vote as football’s greatest ever player.
