A new chapter in the sporting rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged thanks to a former teammate of the Argentine star.
Presnel Kimpembe knows the great talent possessed by the two icons of modern soccer, but one of them occupies a special place and he has named him the “best player in the world.”
Kimpembe chooses the GOAT
The French player played with and against the best in the world during his time at París Saint-Germain. Between 2021 and 2023, he welcomed Lionel to the Parisian club’s locker room, something he himself described as “crazy.”
In his recent appearance on Just Riadh’s YouTube channel, Kimpembe revealed that when he heard about Leo’s arrival at the club, he couldn’t hide his excitement:
“The arrival of Leo Messi at PSG? Crazy… crazy… I was like a madman. When he arrives at PSG, you’re just so happy. You tell yourself: ‘The best player in the world is on my team,’” he said without hesitation and with remarkable admiration.
Full of hopes and expectations, his arrival at a new club excited not only the fans but also his new teammates. The truth is that the Argentine arrived at PSG after a remarkable and extensive career at Barcelona, which had been the only club Leo had played for until then and where his rivalry with CR7 had emerged every time he faced Real Madrid.
When asked to choose between the two players, Kimpembe did not hesitate to choose his former teammate:
“Team Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi! I like both, but I’d say Team Messi,” said Presnel. “He’s too strong. I also like Ronaldo a lot, because you know he’s a hard worker. Messi was born with it. Ronaldo was also born with it, but he shaped it in his own way. Messi is too much, brother. When you played rondos with him, the technical quality… you would try to press him but he had already seen everything and would fake you out… it was crazy.”
Presnel shared 42 games with Leo, but also faced him three times (losing two and drawing one). In addition, he also played four games against CR7 (winning once and losing once).
Kimpembe joined the PSG academy in 2005 at the age of 10 and never played for another team. In 11 seasons, he played 241 games and contributed to the capital club’s history with 26 trophies: the Champions League in 2025, eight French league titles, seven French Cups, five League Cups, and five Champions Trophies. Meanwhile, the 2018 World Cup winner now plays for Qatar SC after injuries got in his way.
For his part, after the Argentine star confirmed his departure from the Parisian club on June 7, 2023, after his contract with the club ended, he continues to lead Inter Miami CF in the MLS. He recently renewed his contract until the 2028 season and is currently playing in the 2026 league season, where he has already scored 3 goals in 3 games played.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese player had to be substituted in Al Nassr’s last game against AlFayah and will have to put his career on hold due to a hamstring injury. He has already begun the rehabilitation process and his condition will be evaluated on a daily basis. He has scored 965 goals and hopes to reach 1,000 official goals in his career, as well as fulfilling his dream of winning his first official title with the club and his first World Cup with Portugal.
Presnel’s words reopen a debate that has been going on for years and is unlikely to end anytime soon, but they highlight the fact that both stars’ talent knows no bounds.
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