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Kimpembe settles the GOAT debate
French centre-back Presnel Kimpembe has shared his perspective on the long-standing rivalry between two football legends. Having played alongside Lionel Messi at the Parc des Princes from 2021 to 2023, he witnessed Messi's brilliance up close.
Recalling the moment he learned Messi was joining Paris Saint-Germain, Kimpembe admitted the news sent shockwaves through the squad. Speaking on Just Riadh's YouTube channel, he said: "The arrival of Leo Messi at PSG? Crazy... crazy... I was like a madman. When he arrives at PSG, you're just so happy. You tell yourself: 'The best player in the world is on my team.'"
The difference between talent and hard work
When asked to choose between the two greatest players of the modern era, the 2018 World Cup winner was clear in his preference. Kimpembe said: "I like both, but I'd say Team Messi. He's too strong. I also like Ronaldo a lot, because you know he's a hard worker. Messi was born with it. Ronaldo was also born with it, but he shaped it in his own way.
"Messi is too much, brother. When you played rondos with him, the technical quality... you would try to press him but he had already seen everything and would fake you out... it was crazy."
Diverging paths for the football legends
Since their time together, the two icons have moved to different continents. Messi now stars in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, recently extending his contract until 2028 and already scoring three goals in his first three games of the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, 41-year-old Ronaldo is recovering from a hamstring injury while playing in Saudi Arabia. Despite this setback with Al-Nassr, he remains focused on reaching the milestone of 1,000 official goals, having already scored 965. Ronaldo continues to pursue his ambitions of winning his first major title with the club and leading Portugal to World Cup glory late in his career.
Kimpembe's new chapter
Kimpembe, now 30, has also experienced a new phase in his career after being a one-club man. Joining the PSG academy at age 10, he made 241 appearances and won 26 trophies over 11 seasons, including the 2025 Champions League and eight Ligue 1 titles. After suffering serious injuries, he transferred to the Middle East to join Qatar SC.
