Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus has made his pick in the seemingly never-ending GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The world-class duo have had a fierce rivalry over the last 15 years. Despite being in the twilight of their careers, they are still going strong, and their numbers get compared every season.
Each legend boasts his own massive fanbase who constantly push their case for being the greatest player of all time. It's a debate that has also drawn in countless players, both current and past, managers and even celebrities, as Messi and Ronaldo have ruled the footballing roost.
The latest player to have his say in this long-running discourse is Marco Reus, who has played against both of them a few times.
During a rapid-fire interview with ESPN FC called "You Have To Answer", the playmaker was asked to choose between two options. After jumping over a few of them, he was asked - "Messi or Ronaldo?" - to which he responded:
"Messi!"
Reus has faced Messi thrice in his career, winning none. His first meeting with the former Barcelona great came in 2012 during an international friendly between Germany and Argentina, which the latter won 3-1.
The players then locked horns twice in the group stage of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League. Barcelona and Dortmund played out a goalless draw at the Signal Iduna Park, followed by a 3-1 defeat for Reus and co. in the return.
Reus' record against Ronaldo, though, is surprisingly good. He has won three of his seven meetings - all coming in the UEFA Champions League when the Portuguese was at Real Madrid.
Marco Reus chooses between Haaland and Lewandowski
Messi and Ronaldo weren't the only players Reus had to choose from; he was also asked to pick between Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski, 33, was Reus' teammate for two years at Dortmund. Meanwhile, the German has shared the dressing room with the 21-year-old Haaland for the last two and a half years.
Both strikers have been phenomenal in the Bundesliga, netting a glut of goals to form an interesting rivalry of their own. While Haaland has netted 86 times since arriving at BvB in January 2020, Lewandowski has bagged 153 goals in the last three seasons.
Despite Lewandowski's better numbers, Marco Reus chose the Norwegian after a long deliberation, saying:
"Oh Jesus Christ.....I'll take Erling!"
Lewandowski left BvB in 2014 to join Bayern Munich on a free transfer. Marco Reus has now played his last with Haaland too, as the 21-year-old is on his way to Manchester City this summer.
Evans0323
202
Every good players always go for Messi, Ronaldo is only good in goalscoring which other attackers can do, Ronaldo is only choosing by his former teammates or kids that are just growing up, but no one can ever play football like the way Messi play it
ledamnpruy
80
ManUtdAmadDialo
47
This is LM7. The playmaker nd a goal scorer at the same time. The real GOAT ever.🐐
omamat8
33
loycdiknou
29
Who would even mind a word from this guy's mouth? He literally said he'd pick Hallaand over Lewy? Man need a brain 🧠 😪
Mangisha
21
We all know Messi is for football. For People professional footballers. For people who understand football. Ronaldo is only for his fans, and a few of his former teammates. Deep down my heart, am convinced even Ronaldo knows Messi is the better player. He just that has ego, competitiveness that he can't accept anyone better than him. His fans knw it too. If they use their brains, they would see. One if a great, great goalscorer, the other both that and a great, great playmaker. One dimensional versus 2 dimensional. Only for wise people.
jaysinjude
16
just a reminder
RonaldoTheDestroyer
14
Every good players always go for Messi, Ronaldo is only good in goalscoring which other attackers can do, Ronaldo is only choosing by his former teammates or kids that are just growing up, but no one can ever play football like the way Messi play it
turns out to be proving that you're a kid who started watching football and Cr7 after 2015 or whatever.Those who deny how hell of a dribbler ,midfielder he was in his early Man Utd days and after that a Fierce wing forward in Real Madrid and now a lethal striker. This man Cr7 is unrepeatable. he still outruns many young defenders even at the age of 37 his transition his adaptation is Unreal only a young fool kid could deny his Greatness
kvngkirian
10
Every good players always go for Messi, Ronaldo is only good in goalscoring which other attackers can do, Ronaldo is only choosing by his former teammates or kids that are just growing up, but no one can ever play football like the way Messi play it
I think that you are the kid whom is growing up for this statement
viscdlpsuz
8
Every good players always go for Messi, Ronaldo is only good in goalscoring which other attackers can do, Ronaldo is only choosing by his former teammates or kids that are just growing up, but no one can ever play football like the way Messi play it
if Ronaldo Is only Good In Scoring They Why He Has 230 Assist ? 🤔