Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele has identified Lionel Messi as his biggest influence in football, choosing the Argentine icon over rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Speaking in a recent interview, Dembele highlighted how Messi’s unique style and presence shaped his own development as a player.
During an interview with France Football, Dembele reflected on his admiration for Messi, recalling his childhood support for FC Barcelona. He stated,
“I grew up watching FC Barcelona, so naturally [it’s] Lionel Messi. For me, he’s the greatest. He’s a player who inspires me, he’s unique! I’m very happy and proud to have played with him.”
Dembele had the opportunity to share the field with Messi 95 times at Barcelona, contributing to 15 goals together and maintaining an average of 2.28 points per game when both featured for the Catalan club.
Though Dembele never played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, he faced the Portuguese forward three times: twice during his Borussia Dortmund days in the UEFA Champions League group stage, with both matches ending 2-2, and once for the French national team against Ronaldo’s Portugal, where France won on penalties in the European Championships.
Evaluating the GOAT Debate Through Artificial Intelligence
Adding another perspective to the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, the Grok Artificial Intelligence recently predicted the likely winner of the upcoming super Ballon d’Or, an extremely rare accolade honoring the greatest footballer of all time. Both players are considered legends, and the award is set to be decided this October.
In comments shared with Marca, Grok emphasized Messi’s achievements, saying,
“The Super Ballon d’Or, a rare award for the greatest footballers of all decades, would likely fall to Lionel Messi today. His eight Ballon d’Ors, his 2022 World Cup triumph and his 45 major trophies far outweigh his competitors. Cristiano Ronaldo, with over 900 goals and five Champions League titles, is a close contender, but his absence from a World Cup weakens him. Both have redefined excellence, and the decision depends on whether individual awards and international glory or pure goalscoring are prioritised. There is no definitive answer: fans and pundits remain divided.”
Messi and Ronaldo hold the record for the most Ballon d’Or awards, with Messi at eight and Ronaldo at five. Their long-standing competition not only defines an era of football but also fuels ongoing debates among fans and analysts about who is the greatest of all time. As the super Ballon d’Or nears, anticipation builds around which player will claim this historic honor that could offer a decisive perspective in their rivalry.