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IndyCar star David Malukas has made his pick in football's perpetual GOAT debate - Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi. The two players are arguably among the sport's best players of all time.
Malukas joined in the debate after one of his fans asked him to pick a side via the 'Ask me a question' feature on Instagram stories. His answer to "Who's better Messi or Ronaldo?" lay in CR7's favor. The 23-year-old posted a photo of himself pointing towards an image of Ronaldo.
This debate often sways in both directions because of the different skill sets that the two football stars bring to the table. While Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr, is often lauded for his consistency, fitness, and all-round performance, Messi, who plays for MLS club Inter Miami, is ranked higher in the playmaking department and the ease with which he cuts through the opposition defense.
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Recently, the two rivals made headlines for a potential match-up at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. However, it was conditional on Ronaldo switching from the non-participating Al Nassr to Al Hilal, which the latter's CEO shrugged off as "science fiction."
With his pick, Malukas joined a long list of sporting celebrities, including Zinedine Zidane, Kylian Mbappe, and others, who opted for Portugal's all-time leading scorer over Argentina's.
David Malukas previews "special" 2025 season with AJ Foyt Racing after a "chaotic" 2024
David Malukas had to face a few curveballs in 2024 as the Illinois native broke his left hand in February, shattering his hopes of driving for Arrow McLaren, with whom he had signed in September 2023. With no definite recovery timeline in sight, the Zak Brown-led team released him in April. Meyer Shank Racing signed him in early June to replace Tom Blomqvist and drive the No. 66 Honda.
In ten races, Malukas scored 148 points with two Top 10 finishes to secure P24 in the championship standings. On the back of this recovery and his stellar past in the Indy Lights (now Indy NXT), AJ Foyt Racing gave him a full-time seat for 2025.
"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to join AJ Foyt Racing," Malukas said (via IndyCar). "The team has performed very well this season, and I can’t wait to get to work with them and immerse myself in that environment."
"The history and success of both AJ Foyt Racing and A.J. Foyt himself were key factors in my decision to join the team. Everyone knows that A.J. is a legend, and he was someone whose name I always heard growing up. To have the opportunity to work alongside him and drive for his team is very special. I am starting a new chapter in my INDYCAR career, and I am eager to achieve strong results with AJ Foyt Racing."
The 23-year-old also commented on how he'll look to bounce back strongly in 2025 after an underwhelming 2024 season.
"For me, the 2024 season was very chaotic and did not go to plan, so I am looking forward to a new beginning," he added.
David Malukas will line up alongside his new teammate, Santino Ferrucci, who finished a respectable ninth in the standings with 367 points in 2024.
