Real Madrid legend Raúl González has stunned the football world by setting club loyalties aside and declaring Lionel Messi superior to iconic figures of “Los Blancos” such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
Unlike many voices closely tied to the Santiago Bernabéu, who typically side with CR7 in the never-ending GOAT debate, Raúl openly admits that the Argentine’s magic outweighs the Portuguese star’s power and even Zidane’s elegance, according to Goal.com.
The Eternal Debate Rolls On
For years, Messi was Real Madrid’s greatest nightmare, while his epic duels with Cristiano Ronaldo defined an entire era of world football.
Across two decades, the two superstars combined for 13 Ballon d’Ors, pushing individual excellence to unprecedented heights.
Even at the start of 2026, both remain active. Messi is under contract with MLS Cup winners Inter Miami until 2028, while Ronaldo is tied to Al Nassr on a two-year deal that will keep him playing past his 42nd birthday.
Why Raúl Puts Messi Above Everyone
Raúl—who scored 323 goals in 714 appearances for Real Madrid—shared the pitch with some of the greatest players in history. Still, he places Messi at the very top.
“I’ve been fortunate to play with players like Zidane, Cristiano, Ronaldo, Figo… but I think Messi is the best,” Raúl said.
“He’s very different. He makes things look easy—what seems impossible for others, he does as if he’s playing on the street with friends.”
The Next Star on the Rise
While crowning Messi as the greatest of all time, Raúl also tipped another product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia to dominate the near future: Lamine Yamal.
Now 18, Yamal has already won La Liga and the European Championship, finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or race. Still, Raúl warns against placing excessive pressure on the teenage sensation.
“We all know he’ll be an important player, but Lamine shouldn’t be the pillar of Spain’s national team. There are more experienced players who must support him, so he can shine without feeling forced to save us every match.”
Can Yamal Reach That Level?
Because of his style—left-footed, fearless, gliding past defenders—Yamal is constantly compared to Messi. While he’s carving out his own path, it’s hard to escape the shadow of the most decorated footballer in history.
Many predict Yamal could follow Messi’s footsteps and become a multiple Ballon d’Or winner. For now, though, Lionel Messi remains untouchable at the summit—football’s undisputed greatest of all time.
