WWhile the debate about the greatest soccer players of all time is forever ingrained in sports culture, the double UFC champion is offering a new perspective on his preferences.
Known for his fierce loyalty to the club, ‘El Matador’ has never hidden his passion for the pitch. However, his selection as football’s GOAT has historically surprised many fellow Madridistas.
Despite its connection to the Bernab family, it has been a long-time favorite of the legendary figure who defined the era for more than 20 years.
The reasons for this preference were once very personal.
In 2024, ahead of Topuria’s historic featherweight showdown, Ronaldo questioned the Spaniard’s record, suggesting that he had “talked too much” and that he had yet to face top talent, and did not take the criticism lightly, replying in an interview at the time: “I personally invited Messi because he lives here. As long as Messi is here, Cristiano can fend for himself.”
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The tone of this conflict changed dramatically during a recent livestream on February 26th. When asked again to settle the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate, he gave a more subtle and diplomatic answer.
“I like Messi, but since Cristiano[Ronaldo]became my partner,” he said in a conversation. Although he hinted that Messi may still have a technical edge on the field, his negative attitude towards Ronaldo has clearly disappeared and been replaced by a pragmatic respect for him as a business colleague.
This transformation is a direct result of power dynamics within the sports business world. In late 2025, he officially joined as a co-owner and shareholder of.
Beyond the boardroom, ‘s rise in the martial arts world has been nothing short of meteoric. Since his first run-in with Ronaldo, the Spaniard has silenced his critics by not only defending his featherweight title but also stepping up to claim the UFC lightweight title starting in 2018. This feat made him one of the few double champions selected in the history of .
His ability to conquer multiple divisions reflects the sustained excellence of the very soccer icons he is often asked to compare himself to, proving that greatness ultimately speaks for itself, in both soccer and martial arts.
