Nani Snubs Ronaldo & Messi: Names Ronaldinho as the GOAT
Nani Snubs Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in GOAT Debate
The greatest footballer debate never ends in football circles. Former players often surprise fans with their opinions. Moreover, personal experiences shape these controversial choices significantly. Furthermore, teammates sometimes avoid picking obvious superstars. Therefore, Nani’s selections shocked many football observers worldwide.
Nani’s Surprising GOAT Pick
Former Manchester United winger made a bold statement. He shared his controversial opinion publicly recently. Moreover, Nani has snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo surprisingly here. Furthermore, and Lionel Messi while naming his choice. Additionally, while naming his football GOAT specifically decided. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were snubbed by the Portuguese star. Moreover, the Portuguese star named someone else instead. Furthermore, Ronaldinho as his pick for greatest footballer. Therefore, Nani chose flair over statistics in his selection.
Speaking to ESPN
The former winger shared his thoughts with media. Speaking to ESPN, he revealed his choices. Moreover, during an interview about football legends. Furthermore, discussing various greatest players ever existed. Therefore, Nani provided multiple controversial opinions to reporters.
Snubbing Ronaldo as Best Finisher
Interestingly, Nani overlooked his former teammate completely. He snubbed Ronaldo when asked specifically something. Moreover, when he was asked to name clearly. Furthermore, the best finisher of all time ever. Therefore, Nani didn’t pick his Manchester United partner.
Choosing Romario Instead
Instead, the Portuguese winger selected a Brazilian legend. Going with someone different entirely from Portugal. Moreover, Brazilian legend Romario instead chosen surprisingly. Furthermore, the former Barcelona striker got the nod. Therefore, Nani valued Romario’s finishing over Ronaldo’s goalscoring.
Messi as Best Playmaker
However, Nani did acknowledge Messi’s greatness partially. He was quick to name someone obvious. Moreover, Messi as the best playmaker recognized clearly. Furthermore, of all time in football history undeniably. Therefore, the Argentine received recognition for creativity at least.
Vidic Best Defender
Additionally, Nani picked his former teammate defensively. While picking Nemanja Vidic as defensive choice. Moreover, as the best defender of all time. Furthermore, the Serbian center-back earned this recognition. Therefore, Manchester United connections influenced this selection clearly.
Preud’homme Best Goalkeeper
Finally, Nani completed his all-time selections list. And Michel Preud’homme as the final choice. Moreover, as the best goalkeeper ever selected. Furthermore, the Belgian shot-stopper got the recognition. Therefore, Nani’s choices reflected personal preferences over consensus opinions in the eternal football GOAT debate.
Nani’s Surprising GOAT Choice
Best Dribbler Selection Shocks Fans
Moreover, the former Manchester United star also snubbed both legends surprisingly. He overlooked Messi and Ronaldo in the category selection. Specifically, this applied in the best dribbler of all time category. Most expected him to choose one of them. However, he went with Denílson instead shockingly and unexpectedly. The Brazilian winger was his choice for best dribbler. His selection surprised everyone watching the interview completely.
Ronaldinho Named as GOAT
Furthermore, the surprise in the quickfire round came later. The biggest shock arrived in the final question specifically. This happened when he was asked to name something important. The interviewer wanted to know the GOAT footballer from him. Consequently, Nani backed Ronaldinho over Messi and Ronaldo boldly. He chose the Brazilian magician over both modern legends. The decision stunned fans and analysts alike worldwide.
Watch the Controversial Clip
Additionally, here is the clip on X showing his answers. The video captures his surprising choices perfectly and clearly. Fans can watch his reasoning for each selection. The footage has been shared millions of times. Social media erupted with debates after the clip surfaced.
Urging End to Messi vs Ronaldo Debate
Previously, Nani urged fans in 2025 to change their behavior. He wants them to stop the Messi vs Ronaldo debate. The constant comparison frustrates him significantly and unnecessarily. Moreover, he encouraged them to enjoy the footballers instead. Fans should appreciate them while they are still playing actively. Time is running out to watch these legends compete.
Furthermore, he was talking to the media after news broke. His comments came after the Al-Nassr star extended his deal. Ronaldo signed a new contract with the Saudi club. Nani shared his thoughts via GOAL about the legends:
“He’s a machine, he’s a different player and you can tell by the level he’s reached in football. We criticise Ronaldo and Messi a lot, but the day they retire, football won’t be the same. The fact that they’ve dropped off the radar of the best clubs made a difference straight away. We have to make the most of it while they’re still on the pitch.”
Personal History with Both Legends
Finally, Nani played 130 times alongside Ronaldo throughout careers. These appearances came for club and country with Cristiano Ronaldo. They played together for club and country with Ronaldo. Moreover, they were combining for 14 goals during their partnership. Their chemistry produced goals regularly for Manchester United.
Conversely, he has faced Lionel Messi five times as opponents. The head-to-head record favors neither player completely. Specifically, he experienced losing three matches against Messi’s teams. However, he also won twice against the Argentine’s sides. The rivalry produced competitive encounters each time they met.
Indeed, Nani’s controversial quickfire round selections—choosing Denílson as the best dribbler over Messi and Ronaldo, and backing Ronaldinho as the GOAT—surprised fans, though his 2025 comments urging people to “make the most of it while they’re still on the pitch” rather than constantly comparing the two legends reflect his appreciation for both players, having combined for 14 goals alongside Ronaldo in 130 appearances while facing Messi five times with a 2-3 record.
Upcoming Footballers Told to Follow Cristiano Ronaldo Over Lionel Messi
Marchisio’s Advice for Young Players
Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport recently. He discussed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi this season. His comments focused on both legends’ approaches to football. Moreover, he was urging young footballers to make a choice. Specifically, he wants them to follow the Portuguese superstar primarily. This applies over the Argentine for development purposes.
Furthermore, he claimed that the Barcelona legend differed fundamentally. Specifically, Messi did not need to train much apparently. This happened because he was naturally talented from birth. His god-given abilities required less work allegedly according to Marchisio. Conversely, the former Real Madrid forward has worked differently. Ronaldo worked hard to reach his level through dedication. His success came from relentless effort and discipline.
Direct Quote Explains Reasoning
Subsequently, Marchisio explained his reasoning in detail:
“Follow Cristiano Ronaldo’s example. If you have to find something in a player to become great champions, follow an example like his and not like Messi’s. Why? He was already a star, but he had to build himself even more. He worked very hard to get where he is, the other [Messi] was a talent blessed by the Lord, who hardly even needed to train.”
Both Legends Extend Careers
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi remain active professionally. They are in the twilight of their careers currently. Both players approach the end of their playing days. However, retirement isn’t imminent for either legend yet.
Moreover, they both signed new deals at clubs recently. The contracts came at their respective clubs last year. Ronaldo extended his Al-Nassr contract in Saudi Arabia. Similarly, Messi renewed his Inter Miami deal in MLS. Both remain committed to playing at the highest level.
Indeed, Claudio Marchisio’s advice for young footballers to follow Cristiano Ronaldo’s example over Lionel Messi’s, based on the belief that Ronaldo “worked very hard” to build himself while Messi was “a talent blessed by the Lord, who hardly even needed to train,” comes as both legends continue their careers after signing new deals at Al-Nassr and Inter Miami respectively last year.
