Vancouver Whitecaps and Germany legend Thomas Müller has named Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time, changing his long-held preference for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Müller, who has faced both superstars during his illustrious career, explained that he initially favoured Ronaldo when asked to settle the long-running debate.
“I get this question a lot. The first 10 years of my career I always went with Cristiano Ronaldo. And I always lost against him!” Müller said.
However, the former Bayern Munich star said his assessment has changed after considering the bigger picture of Messi’s career.
“But when I look at the whole picture, Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer,” he added.
Müller’s opinion carries particular interest given his extensive experience against both players at the highest level. He was part of the Bayern side that famously defeated Barcelona 8-2 in the 2020 Champions League quarter-final, while he also encountered Ronaldo several times in the competition.
The German forward enjoyed a remarkable career at Bayern, making 756 competitive appearances, winning 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League trophies before leaving the club in 2025. He also won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany.
Müller is now continuing his career with Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer, where he recently extended his contract through the 2027 season.
