When I was in 4th grade at recess, I was playing soccer with my friends and one of my friends asked me. “Hey Mongtrue, Ronaldo or Messi?” he said. At that moment that question has been living with me ever since. Most soccer fans will ask another soccer fan just to determine if they will get along or not. Everyone has their own opinion on who their GOAT is. So Whose is your GOAT?

I did my own little research about both great pro players after I was asked a million times. I wonder who started this debate? They are both great legendary players who have very different backgrounds. Some soccer fans don’t really look at players' backgrounds, instead mostly only look at who has the most goals and who has the most trophies. I think looking at their background and how much they devolve, is more important than the goals and trophies count. It may actually be important to some fans, which I understand but I'm just saying that it's more than that. 

It is more of a test. When I get asked,“ Messi or Ronaldo” or “Who's your GOAT?”.  I already know that they’re testing me to see if I have “good taste”. I think it's important to ask who they look up to, for you to get to know more about her/him. Messi and Ronaldo got famous because of how many goals they scored or how many trophies they have. You can be a great player who barely scores and has no trophies. You can have a big heart and commitment, people will say you’re not good enough. This is also a team sport and rarely professional players get the chance to compete with each other on the pitch.  There shouldn’t be any competition between players. But is it really going to stop though?

The hype has been going since 2007. In an Op-Ed from the Scot Scoop News called “The greatest footballer of all time,” Kai Yoshida writes, “these two players have been lighting up the international football world and have become household names across the globe. Because they stood head and shoulders above the rest, Messi and Ronaldo are always compared. Defined in countless ways, the “best player” never just ones.” Yoshida is telling the history of Ronaldo or Messi. Even till this day the debate still goes around. They’re one of the most debated topics in the world of football. This is getting everyone's attention that everyone will debate about.

Both players are deadly on the pitch. Kai Yoshida writes, “With an excellent vision of the game and unmatched dribbling sense, Messi is equally good at creating chances as he is at finishing them.” Also, “Ronaldo’s outstanding athleticism and technical ability make a deadly goalscorer.” Yoshida is saying that they’re amazing players. The answer is clear, both of these players do not have the exact same strengths. You can’t really compare Messi or Ronaldo. Mainly only about who scores the most and who has the most trophies. Obviously they both have different playing styles and play different positions. 

When analyzing it occurs to me that this debate will continue because people have their own opinion and beliefs or want fame on social media. I understand because to me they are reasonable. Starting a debate on social media or “assuming” is questionable. This is questionable because what if it is not true, how can you believe social media, and it can probably change your point of view in a bad way. It might seem real but it might not. You might never know the full story. 

Everyone has their own opinion, their own GOAT, and own beliefs. A lot has changed, 2023, now there's much more great footballers and of course more competition now on the pitch. “The GOAT” is pointless. There will never be a final answer and just more opinions.