Former Ghana international Derek Boateng has weighed in on football’s enduring GOAT debate, unequivocally placing Lionel Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, drawing on his personal experience of facing both superstars in La Liga.
Boateng, who featured against Messi and Ronaldo during his time with Getafe and Eibar, shared his perspective in an interview on Sporty FM, offering insight into the contrasting styles of the two modern legends.
“For me, they are different types of players,” Boateng said. “Ronaldo has everything — the physique, the height, the body, the pace, the power. But then you have Messi.”
The former Black Stars midfielder stressed that Messi’s true impact often reveals itself only when he is in possession of the ball.
“Even when you are standing on the field with him, you don’t respect him at first, but when he touches the ball, you will respect him,” he explained. “He is different. Sometimes I feel he is not a human being with the way he plays.”
Boateng also pointed to a key difference in mentality and approach between the two icons.
“When things are not going in Ronaldo’s favour, he tries to force the game to come to him,” he noted. “Messi waits for the game to come to him, and when it does, he decides it.”
While acknowledging Ronaldo’s achievements, athleticism, and winning mentality, Boateng left no doubt about his personal choice.
“Both are top players, no doubt,” he concluded. “But when you ask me personally, I will always pick Messi in my team.”
