(Photo by Miguel Lemos/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo Hits Back at Rooney Over Messi Debate: 'I Don’t Agree'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Nov 3, 2025 12:08 PM ET

Cristiano Ronaldo’s upcoming interview with Piers Morgan is already making waves — especially after a preview revealed his take on the never-ending debate: who’s better, him or Lionel Messi?

Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo’s former teammate at Manchester United, has long made his opinion clear. Back in 2020, in an interview with The Sunday Times, Rooney shared his thoughts on the two icons who defined a generation.

“Despite my friendship with Cristiano, I’d go for Messi,” Rooney said. “Ronaldo is ruthless in the box, a killer. But Messi will torture you before he kills you. With Messi, you just get the impression he’s having more fun. Those two have completely changed the game in terms of goalscoring numbers, and I don’t think they’ll ever be matched.”

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 27: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with team mate Cristiano Ronaldo (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford on September 27, 2008 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Now, it’s Ronaldo’s turn to respond. In a clip circulating on social media ahead of the full interview’s release, the Portuguese superstar didn’t hold back.

“I don’t agree [that Messi is better]. I don’t want to be humble...” Ronaldo said.

The quote instantly reignited the age-old Messi vs. Ronaldo debate online, with fans from both sides flooding social media to defend their GOAT.

️Cristiano Ronaldo: “I don't agree [that Messi is better]. I don't want to be humble.”

Leo Messi ended the GOAT debate in Qatar and Cristiano Ronaldo still giving interviews! May be that’s why people say ‘Ronaldo’s biggest achievement is to be compared with Messi’! pic.twitter.com/SK3CkLdW7m
— LEO MESSI FAN ZONE (@LeoMessiFanZone) November 3, 2025

Could the Debate Finally End in 2026?

The 2026 World Cup could mark the last time both Ronaldo and Messi share the biggest stage in football. And while the two legends have faced each other countless times in club competitions, they’ve never met in a World Cup match — despite representing their countries since 2006.

If Portugal’s star-studded squad — arguably the most talented in the nation’s history — ends up meeting the reigning champions, Argentina, it could be one of the most iconic showdowns the tournament has ever seen.

Ronaldo, still scoring and leading for Portugal, could face off against Messi, who will likely aim to guide Argentina to back-to-back titles alongside the country’s new generation — names like Franco Mastantuono, Nico Paz, Johnny Cardoso, and Valentín Barco.

If that clash happens, the long-standing GOAT debate might finally find its ending — on the biggest stage of all.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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