While the debate over the greatest soccer player in history remains a permanent fixture in sports culture, UFC double champion is offering a fresh perspective on his own preferences.
Known for his fierce loyalty to , “El Matador” has never hidden his passion for the pitch. However, his choice for the “GOAT” of soccer has historically surprised many of his fellow Madridistas.
Despite his ties to the Bernabéu, has long favored , the legendary figure who defined the era of for over two decades.
The reasons for this preference were once deeply personal.
Before Topuria‘s historic featherweight clash in 2024 Ronaldo questioned the Spaniard’s record, suggesting he “spoke too much” and had not yet faced the top tier of the promotion’s talent, did not take the criticism lightly, responding in an interview at the time by saying, “I’m personally inviting Messi because he lives here. Cristiano can go f*** himself as long as Messi is around.”
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The tone of this rivalry changed dramatically during a recent livestream on February 26. When asked again to settle the Messi versus Ronaldo debate, offered a more nuanced and diplomatic answer.
“I like Messi, but since Cristiano [Ronaldo] became my partner,” he remarked during a conversation with . While he still hinted that Messi might hold the technical edge on the field, his dismissive attitude toward Ronaldo has clearly vanished, replaced by the pragmatic respect of a business associate.
This transformation is the direct result of a power move in the sports business world. In late 2025, officially joined as a co-owner and shareholder of .
Beyond the boardroom, ‘s ascent in the combat sports world has been nothing short of meteoric. Since the initial friction with Ronaldo, the Spaniard has silenced critics by not only defending his featherweight title but also moving up to claim the UFC lightweight championship from . This achievement made him one of a select few double champions in the history of the .
His ability to dominate multiple divisions has mirrored the sustained excellence of the very soccer icons he is so often asked to compare – proving that in both football and fighting, greatness ultimately speaks for itself.
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