**Ronnie O’Sullivan Settles the Messi vs Ronaldo Debate: ‘End of Story’**
The age-old debate over who reigns supreme between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has divided football enthusiasts for years. Yet, it seems snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, known for his outspokenness and decisive nature, believes he has reached a clear conclusion—and he isn’t afraid to share it.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, affectionately dubbed ‘The Rocket’ for his rapid-fire snooker style, recently reaffirmed his position on the ever-contentious Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry. The star, who is currently vying for an unprecedented eighth World Snooker Championship title, has never shied away from tackling sporting debates outside his own arena.
As O’Sullivan continues his journey in Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, progressing into the quarter-finals with a strong lead over Si Jiahui, discussions about his legacy in snooker are reaching fever pitch. However, it’s his thoughts on football’s greatest rivalry that have reignited the interests of fans beyond the green baize.
O’Sullivan first weighed in on the Messi-Ronaldo debate via social media back in 2018. Quite characteristically, he offered his view with unrivalled clarity and a hint of finality. “Right here it is, if we could all choose how to play football, we would all choose to play like Messi, end of story,” he wrote on the platform now known as X, formerly Twitter. For the ever-candid snooker star, there was little room for further discussion.
Later that day, O’Sullivan doubled down, suggesting there is simply no enjoyable alternative to witnessing Messi in action. “I’m a Messi fan, once you watch Messi, there is no point watching the other stuff, it’s all downhill from Messi,” he declared. These comments were not an isolated incident; prior posts dating back to 2011 also show O’Sullivan lavishing Messi with praise, labelling him a “genius” and openly acknowledging, “I’m a Messi supporter.”
Nonetheless, O’Sullivan has never dismissed Ronaldo’s achievements lightly. In a 2020 interview with the Daily Star, he classed Ronaldo alongside some of sport’s all-time greats. But the snooker superstar also highlighted an important distinction in how he perceives athletic greatness—preferring sports where there is an equal playing field and no technological advantages. Drawing comparisons, he praised figures such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Phil Taylor, Tiger Woods, and, naturally, both Messi and Ronaldo. “It’s there to see,” O’Sullivan said, highlighting the fairness and pure competition in their respective sports.
O’Sullivan’s take comes at a time when both Messi and Ronaldo are at the twilight of their glittering careers. Messi, having recently added a World Cup and two Copa America titles to his name with Argentina, continues to dazzle fans in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has found the net more than 900 times across his storied club and international career and is now plying his trade for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
It is undeniable that each player’s career trajectory and style have contributed uniquely to modern football. Ronaldo’s remarkable transformation from a wing wizard at Manchester United to a goal-scoring machine has set him apart, while Messi’s vision, dribbling, and playmaking have continually enchanted football purists.
Though the debate is likely to continue amongst fans and pundits, O’Sullivan’s frank perspective leans firmly towards Messi’s natural artistry and style. As he continues to chase history in his own right on the snooker table, ‘The Rocket’ reminds us that even the biggest stars in one sport are, at heart, admirers of excellence in others.
As with many sporting rivalries, choosing a side in the Messi vs Ronaldo saga often comes down to personal preference. But for Ronnie O’Sullivan, the answer seems simple—and for him, at least, the debate really is the end of the story.