A close associate of Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked controversy, claiming that even at 41, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the world’s No. 1 player, while Lionel Messi can now only rank around 20th — a statement that quickly ignited debate.

(Beijing, March 31) At 41 and 38 respectively, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continue to chase their World Cup dreams. This summer could mark their final appearance on football’s biggest stage, reigniting debates about their current level and historical legacy.

Speaking on a Spanish TV program, journalist Edu Aguirre—known for his close ties to Ronaldo—offered a highly controversial take: “For me, Ronaldo is the greatest of all time, no matter his age. Even at 41, he’s still the best. I believe even when he retires at 46, he’ll still be number one.”

His comments on Messi were more critical: “Messi is no longer in the top five. He was incredible, but now he’s older. Historically, he’s definitely top 10, but currently, I’d place him around 15–20.” However, he acknowledged Messi’s enduring technical brilliance, saying his touch and vision would remain elite even decades later.

Aguirre also joked: “Could Messi start for Real Madrid? I don’t think so. I even question whether he’d start for Argentina—just kidding.”

When discussing the current football hierarchy, he added: “After Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé is number two. The third spot is still open—young talents like Lamine Yamal need more time to prove themselves.”

According to the latest market valuations, Ronaldo is valued at €12 million, while Messi stands at €15 million—remarkable figures for players at their age.