Messi and Ronaldo have 13 Ballon d'Or’s between them and are undeniably the greatest footballers of all time. However, the debate is still alive and well as many discuss who is the greatest out of the two as they come to the end of their extremely successful careers.
Currently Ronaldo has collected 10 fewer pieces of silverware than Messi, with 36 trophies. Messi also won the World Cup in 2022 which is often the biggest talking point when comparing the two due to its significance on the global stage.
Muller agrees with this sentiment and when asked to settle the debate stated that he was once on the side of Ronaldo but switched after Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory for the first time since 1986.
"Lionel Messi is the GOAT. In my first 10 years as a professional player, I would have chosen Cristiano Ronaldo, but since the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, it's been Messi for me. Now, as I get older and more romantic myself, playing style and aesthetics are more important to me than individual performance, work ethic, and so on."
He further added: "Both are absolutely crazy. I don't know why it worked so often against him (Messi)."
Ronaldo has more career goals than Messi but the Argentine has more assists than Ronaldo. Ronaldo can boast one more Champions League winners' medal than Messi. However, Messi has clinched an astonishing 13 league titles to Ronaldo's seven, seven domestic cup triumphs to the Portuguese's six, and nine Super Cup successes to his foe's seven. All are great talking points as the debate continues to live on in the twilight on their careers which sees Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr and Messi at Inter Miami in the MLS.