Real Madrid legend: 'I was lucky to play with Ronaldo, but Messi is the true GOAT'

A former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, also a Real Madrid legend, openly declared that Lionel Messi is the greatest player in football history.

The debate over who is the greatest footballer of all time (GOAT) seems never-ending in the football world. For over two decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have always been the two most mentioned names, and opinions from their former teammates or rivals carry significant weight. This time, a figure deeply connected with Real Madrid, who also played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, shared a very clear viewpoint.

In a recent interview with EDYYN, Raul Gonzalez expressed his perspective on the GOAT debate. Despite having played with many football legends, his answer surprised many.

“I was very fortunate to play alongside names like Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo Nazario, and Luis Figo. But in my opinion, Messi is the best player. He is truly unique,” Raul frankly stated. This statement is even more notable since he is a Real Madrid legend and was a close teammate of Ronaldo.

According to Raul, Messi possesses a rare ball sense that not everyone can achieve. “He makes everything look effortless. Moves that seem impossible, Messi executes them very simply. It feels like he’s just playing street football with friends,” he said. Raul’s assessment focuses more on Messi’s natural and subtle style of play rather than trophies or dry statistics.

Raul Gonzalez Blanco is one of the greatest icons in Real Madrid’s history. He was associated with the royal club for 16 consecutive seasons, debuting in 1994 at just 17 years old under coach Jorge Valdano and quickly becoming a key striker.

Raul’s leadership role left a deep mark. He wore the captain’s armband for seven seasons, taking over from Fernando Hierro and leading Real Madrid through a golden era with three Champions League titles in 2000, 2002, and 2014, scoring in two finals.

Individually, Raul boasts impressive stats. He played a total of 741 official matches for Real Madrid, scored 323 goals, and was the club’s all-time top scorer before Cristiano Ronaldo broke his record.

Beyond titles and achievements, Raul earned fans’ hearts through his professionalism and unwavering dedication. Throughout his career, he never received a red card, a rare detail that reflects his discipline and utmost respect for the game. For many Madridistas, Raul epitomizes the Real Madrid spirit, a captain who always shines in the most crucial moments.