"When asked by a journalist who he believes is the true GOAT of football between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, José Mourinho responded..."
🗣️ "Look, I respect Messi a lot. He’s a fantastic player, one of the best we’ve ever seen. He’s won everything — Champions League, Ballon d'Ors, and now the World Cup. But for me, the discussion about the GOAT is not that simple.
Cristiano did something very difficult. He proved himself in different countries — England, Spain, Italy — and came back to the Premier League when most players are thinking about retiring. He succeeded in the most demanding league in the world, not once, but twice.
That’s why, for me, it’s still a debate. To truly be called the greatest of all time, you have to test yourself in the toughest environments. The Premier League is one of them. Messi never did that. He stayed in Barcelona for most of his career, which was a perfect system for him.
If Cristiano had won the World Cup, I think it would’ve been very difficult to argue against him. But football is not just about one trophy. It’s about consistency, impact, and adapting — and in that sense, Cristiano has done it all over the world."
— José Mourinho