Arsenal star Declan Rice chooses the best player of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

The debate over who is the greatest player in history never seems to end. Most people agree that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are always part of the conversation. Over the years, many legends have picked sides in this ongoing rivalry. Now, Arsenal star Declan Rice joined the discussion as well. He made his position clear with just four words, leaving no room for doubt.

“Lionel Messi. The Best Ever,” posted Declan Rice on 2022 on, formerly Twitter. Nevertheless, it does not end there. The 23 years-old midfielder was interviewed by the English legend Gary Neville and he expanded his take:  “Messi. Obviously, it’s such a hard question because what he and Ronaldo have done is like a freak of nature, no one will ever do that ever again…But, Messi what he does with the soccer, it’s so special I love it, I don’t think we’ll ever see a player like him ever again.“

Declan Rice has never hidden his admiration for Lionel Messi. He has praised the Argentine legend on several occasions. After Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Rice even said there would never be another soccer player like Messi in history. His style of play also reflects that admiration. It has always fit well with the attacking philosophy that defined Messi’s FC Barcelona. This connection shows how much influence the Argentine star has had on Rice’s career.

Declan Rice is a key part of Arsenal’s long-term sporting project

Declan Rice arrived at Arsenal as England’s top defensive midfielder. In 2021, Mikel Arteta made a bold decision. He saw Rice as the cornerstone of his long-term project. As a result, Arsenal paid an impressive $131 million to sign him from West Ham.

Raul Asencio of Real Madrid blocks the shot of Declan Rice of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Emirates Stadium on April 08, 2025 in London, England. (P

Since his arrival, the team has taken a clear step forward. Arsenal began to challenge seriously for the Premier League title. At the same time, they secured regular spots in the Champions League. That level of consistency had not been seen since Arsene Wenger’s departure.

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Declan Rice plays as a defensive midfielder, yet his impact on offense has been remarkable. He has scored seven goals and provided eight assists for Arsenal in all competitions this season. His attacking qualities have always stood out, and his long-distance shooting is one of his strongest attributes. In fact, he scored a brace from free kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinal. That performance perfectly showcased how dangerous he can be going forward.

Declan is already carving out his place in soccer history. He continues to deliver performances that grab global attention. After scoring the stunning two free-kicks goals against Real Madrid, Rice joined an elite list of players who have achieved this feat in the UEFA Champions League.

However, Declan did something no one else has done before. He became the only player to score two free-kick goals in the knockout stage of Europe’s top club competition. This rare accomplishment highlights not only his talent but also his ability to shine under pressure.