Spanish publication chooses Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo in second

Spanish publication Marca has chosen Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. The two living legends are widely regarded to be the best ever to grace the beautiful game.

In their illustrious careers spanning two decades, the duo have scored goals and won big titles galore for club and country. While Ronaldo has amassed a record 906 strikes, Messi trails him by 60.

However, the Argentine legend leads Ronaldo in terms of titles won - 46 - which is 11 more than Ronaldo, whose last competitive title for club and country came three years ago with Juventus.

Marca has chosen this criteria to place Messi above anybody else, with Ronaldo taking second place. The publication picked late legends Pele, Alfredo Di Stefano, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff - in that order - in the top six. It said (as per Albiceleste Talk):

"In the Big 6, all have an incredible track record. Messi has won more than anyone, which is why he has the honour of being recognised as the No. 1 of the No. 1s."

Ronaldo (66) leads Messi in terms of career hat-tricks, but both players have 10 hat-tricks in international football, a mark Messi equalled this week in Argentina' 6-0 home win over Bolivia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires.

However, Messi (66) has more free-kick goals than Ronaldo (64), with only Juninho Pernambucano (77) and Pele (70) ahead of the legendary duo in the all-time list.

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A look at how Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi fared during their last title wins

Cristiano Ronaldo (facing) and Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo won his latest competitive title - the 2020-21 Coppa Italia - three years ago, in May 2021, with Juventus. So, how did the five-time Ballon d'Or winner fared in the competition?

Well, he played four of five games, starting thrice, with both his goals coming in the same game - a 2-1 semi-final first leg win at Inter Milan. Juve drew goalless in the second leg at home to reach the final, where they beat Atalanta 2-1 despite the current Al-Nassr star drawing blanks.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's most recent title came with his current club Inter Miami, who won their first Supporters' Shield. Despite having an injury-plagued year, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner contributed significantly in his side's success, bagging 17 goals and 10 assists in 18 games.