Messi or Ronaldo? Ex-Teammate of Both Joins GOAT Debate

Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Who is the biggest football legend?

It is a question that millions of football fans have debated for more than a decade.

But few opinions carry more weight than that of Ezequiel Garay, who played alongside both men at different stages of his career.

Ezequiel Garay picks Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo

Garay was asked in a recent interview with DAZN whether Cristiano Ronaldo was the best footballer he had ever played with.

“No,” was Garay’s blunt response.

When asked where Ronaldo ranked, he replied: “Number two.

“Number one is Leo and Cristiano is number two, without a doubt. I think they are two very different players, but the one who has surprised me the most is Leo.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play with both of them, and Leo is something else.”

Despite placing Messi above Ronaldo in the all-time debate, Garay was keen to stress his admiration for the Portuguese star’s professionalism and work ethic.

On Ronaldo, he added: “To give you an example, the anecdote that Carlos Tevez always tells is true. Literally. He’s the first one to arrive at six in the morning and the last one to leave.

“A star. He follows his routine, his training, his physio — everything — to always arrive in the best condition.”

Garay is not the only former Real Madrid and Argentina player to weigh in on the debate recently.

Angel Di Maria rates Messi over Ronaldo too, despite also admitting that Ronaldo’s relentless work ethic was inspirational.

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi pictured during the 2025 MLS Cup final (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

When did Ezequiel Garay play with Cristiano Ronaldo?

Garay was a teammate of Ronaldo’s at Real Madrid during the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons.

The defender made 31 first-team appearances for Madrid, with Ronaldo featuring in 23 of those matches.

They both played in the 2011 Copa del Rey final, which Real Madrid won 1-0 against Barcelona after extra time.

When did Ezequiel Garay play with Lionel Messi?

Garay and Messi both began their youth careers with Newell’s Old Boys in their home town of Rosario. However, Messi left the club without featuring for the first team.

They would later share a pitch 24 times for Argentina at senior international level, including in the 2014 World Cup final.

Argentina lost that final 1-0 after extra time, but Garay and Messi experienced better fortune at the 2008 Olympics, where they won gold medals together.

Ezequiel Garay calls Real Madrid “the best club in the world”

While Garay prefers Barcelona legend Messi over Real Madrid icon Ronaldo as a player, he remains adamant that the Spanish giants stand above all others as a club.

“For me, it’s a club apart… a world apart,” he said. “You enter as if in a bubble. Real Madrid is Real Madrid — the best club in the world.”

Real Madrid have won La Liga 36 times, eight more than Barcelona. They have also lifted the European Cup/Champions League 15 times, compared to Barcelona’s five.

However, Barcelona finished 10 points clear of Madrid in 2025’s La Liga calendar year table.