World Cup champion Juan Mata chooses who is the best between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Juan Mata has enjoyed a decorated career, winning the World Cup and European Championship with Spain, along with a Champions League title at Chelsea. Now playing in Australia’s A-League, the Spanish midfielder was recently asked to settle one of football’s biggest debates: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

In a video shared by the A-League on YouTube, Mata didn’t hesitate to give a clear answer. “I love the way Messi plays. I played with Ronaldo, and he’s unbelievable — but Messi,”he said.

Mata and Ronaldo were teammates at Manchester United, during the Portuguese’s second spell. Despite his successful spell at Chelsea, Mata struggled for consistent minutes under Jose Mourinho and made the move to Old Trafford in 2014, where he eventually shared the pitch with the Portuguese star.

The Messi vs. Ronaldo debate has only grown in recent years as both legends are near the end of their careers in the United States and Saudi Arabia, respectively. While they are not longer in direct competition, fans, legends and players alike still weighed on their preferences.

Ronaldo continues to build on his record, with 928 career goals so far, while Messi’s list of accolades includes a World Cup and a record eight Ballon d’Or awards. Messi has won four Champions League titles, while Ronaldo has five, along with the European Championship with Portugal and five Ballon d’Or wins.

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What’s next for Messi and Ronaldo?

Ronaldo is set to feature for Portugal in a crucial UEFA Nations League quarterfinal against Denmark on Friday, March 20. At club level, he remains in top form, leading Al Nassr with 19 goals in the Saudi Pro League.

Messi, on the other hand, has been sidelined with a muscle injury after scoring his first goal of the 2025 MLS season for Inter Miami. He will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay as he focuses on his recovery, aiming to make an impact for both club and country in the months ahead.