Who Jay Jay Okocha Chose Between Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo
- Former Nigeria captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha once added his voice to the debate on who between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT
- The argument on who is better between the legendary Real Madrid forward and 2022 World Cup winner has raged for many years
- The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has been the defining feature of modern football for over a decade
Former Nigeria international Austin Jay Jay Okocha has weighed in on the ongoing debate about who is football’s greatest of all time: Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.
For years, these two legends have dominated the sport, sparking endless discussions among fans, analysts, and players alike.
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Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry
For over 15 years, Messi and Ronaldo have dominated world football, widely regarded as the top two players of their generation.
Messi, who emerged from Barcelona’s famed academy, boasts eight Ballon d’Or titles and has won two Copa América trophies as well as the 2022 World Cup.
Ronaldo, with five Ballon d’Ors to his name, burst onto the scene when Manchester United signed him from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 for over £12 million, going on to win three Premier League titles and the Champions League before his blockbuster move to Real Madrid in 2009.
There, his legendary El Clasico battles with Messi became football folklore, while on the international stage, he lifted the European Championship and the Nations League with Portugal.
Okocha picks between Ronaldo and Messi
In an Exclusive interview with Pulse Sports, the former Bolton Wanderers star praised Ronaldo for getting to the highest level through hardwork.
However, he said Messi is the better player because of his immense talents.
He said via Sportskeeda:
"I think both of them rightly deserve to be GOATs but I prefer Messi. As for me… Ronaldo is typical of what you can achieve with hard work, but for Messi, everything comes naturally… And he works hard as well."
Both the Argentine veteran and the Portuguese superstar have left Europe.
Messi is now playing in the MLS for Inter Miami, while Ronaldo is making a significant impact in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.
Okocha’s own illustrious career spanned from 1990 to 2012, during which he became renowned for his dazzling skills.
His time in England, particularly with Bolton Wanderers, earned him the nickname ‘so good they named him twice.’ His endorsement of Messi adds a personal touch to the long-standing debate that also includes opinions from other football greats like Paul Scholes.
Scholes, who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United from 2003 to 2009, has also weighed in, suggesting that Messi still holds the edge over Ronaldo.
Haaland, other stars pick Ronaldo as GOAT
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that several players shared their opinions on the ongoing GOAT debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the UEFA Champions League.
The two legendary figures have long dominated the competition with remarkable goals and decisive performances.
Erling Haaland, Virgil van Dijk, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Florian Wirtz all expressed their support for Ronaldo as the greatest of all time.
Source: YEN.com.gh
