Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi was given the title ‘The best football player of the 21st century” in the FourFourTwo website survey.
His all-time biggest rival Cristiano Ronaldo ranked second. The top three was completed by the Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta. Xavi and Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho also made it to the top 5.
Messi, 37, won the Ballon d’Or for a record 8th time this year after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with his Argentina national team. It was the only trophy that was missing for him in his brilliant career.
According to some specialist, it is the trophy from the World Cup that is the biggest different maker between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the long debate on who is the better player. The Portuguese has more Champions League trophies than Messi – five compared to three for the Argentine, but has also won less Ballon d’Ors – Messi has eight and Ronaldo – five.