Thomas Muller, the newly signed Vancouver Whitecaps player, has opened up about the ongoing Lionel Messi greatest footballer debate, choosing to support Messi after years of favoring Cristiano Ronaldo. His comments came shortly after completing his transfer to Major League Soccer (<a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/soccer/mls/”>MLS) this summer, reflecting on his experiences facing both players throughout his career.
In an interview with the official MLS channel, Muller explained that his previous preference for Ronaldo was challenged by Messi’s performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This event changed Muller’s opinion, leading him to admire Messi’s style and accomplishments more deeply.
“We’ve always had this discussion about Cristiano or Messi, both are incredible, but I think Messi has always been a little more elegant in his style of play. I think in my first ten years as a professionalI leaned more toward Cristiano if there was ever a debate, but now being a little older and more ‘romantic,’ I go more for style than just performance. And then Messi won the World Cup with Argentina, so now I lean toward him”, he said via Bolavip.com.
Muller acknowledged that Messi’s elegance has consistently impressed him, but his admiration for Ronaldo’s performance once prevailed. Now at 35, Muller’s outlook has shifted, blending his respect for footballing artistry with recent achievements. This change adds an intriguing layer to the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry as Muller may come up against Ronaldo again, since their MLS teams, Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami, faced off earlier this year in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Muller Affirms Messi’s Status as Football’s Greatest Player
Thomas Muller, remembered for his legendary career at Bayern Munich and Germany’s national team, has officially placed Lionel Messi above Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest footballer ever. The Vancouver Whitecaps attacker has encountered Messi multiple times and praised the Argentinian’s impact on the sport.
During his first conversation with the MLS channel as a Vancouver player, Muller reflected on his many matches against Messi, including challenging moments like Bayern’s loss to Barcelona in the 2015 Champions League final. Despite such defeats, Muller admitted astonishment at how they managed key competitions against Messi’s teams.
“In the end I don’t know how it worked so well. We had big defeats against Barcelona, in 2015 when they won the Champions League that was one of them, but in the end I don’t know how we did it. But to be honest, for me, Messi is the greatest player we’ve ever had in this sport”, he said via Bolavip.com.
Having lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy in 2014 with Germany, Muller joins a number of football legends who have expressed admiration for Messi’s unique talent. Now playing alongside Messi in the MLS, Muller’s endorsement adds fresh momentum to the Lionel Messi greatest footballer debate as the season progresses toward potential playoff meetings.
The Significance of Muller’s Verdict in the GOAT Conversation
Muller’s shifting viewpoint illustrates how perspective can evolve with time and experience, especially in sports debates centered around legends like Messi and Ronaldo. His recognition of Messi’s World Cup victory as a turning point highlights the importance of international success in evaluating greatness.
As Muller and Messi now compete in the same league, fans can anticipate more direct confrontations that may further influence opinions in this debate. Muller’s choice to prioritize style and overall contribution, rather than purely statistics or past loyalties, signals a nuanced understanding of football greatness that balances skill, achievements, and charisma on the field.
With the MLS season advancing, the possible playoff clash between Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami could serve as another dramatic chapter in Muller’s encounters with Ronaldo and Messi, offering football fans exciting moments and fresh insights in the Lionel Messi greatest footballer debate.