Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shared his views on the long-running Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate, describing Cristiano Ronaldo as football’s biggest commercial brand while saying Lionel Messi stands on a different level as a footballer.
Akhtar made the remarks while appearing on the Tapmad and PTV panel during coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. His comments quickly attracted attention from football fans and sparked fresh debate across social media.
Speaking about Cristiano Ronaldo, Akhtar praised the Portuguese star’s global influence and marketing appeal. He said Ronaldo has become the biggest commercial brand in football history and has played a major role in promoting FIFA, football leagues, and the sport worldwide over the past decade.
“There has never been a bigger brand in football than Cristiano Ronaldo. Take it or leave it. He is probably the biggest brand FIFA has ever enjoyed. For the last 10 years, FIFA has sold him. Leagues have marketed themselves through him as well,” Akhtar said.
Despite praising Ronaldo’s commercial success, Akhtar said Lionel Messi is unmatched when it comes to footballing ability. He argued that Messi’s influence on the pitch, decision-making, and overall style of play place him in a category of his own.
Akhtar highlighted Messi’s ability to recover from challenges during matches and continue making an impact. He praised the Argentine captain’s determination and said opponents often make the mistake of provoking him, which only motivates him to perform even better.
The former fast bowler also referred to comments previously made by former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola. According to Akhtar, Guardiola once explained that Messi spends much of a match observing and analyzing the game before making decisive contributions during the closing stages.
Akhtar said this ability to read the game separates Messi from other players. While acknowledging Ronaldo’s remarkable achievements and work ethic, he maintained that Messi remains on another level in terms of footballing talent.
His remarks quickly went viral across social media, where fans reignited the long-running Messi versus Ronaldo debate. While many agreed with Akhtar’s assessment, others defended Ronaldo and highlighted his achievements throughout his career.
The discussion also extended beyond football. Some viewers questioned PTV’s decision to include a former cricketer on the panel for a major football broadcast, while others appreciated Akhtar’s passion for the sport and his analysis during the World Cup final coverage.
