Jay Jay Okocha picks Messi over Ronaldo in latest GOAT debate

Nigeria legend Jay Jay Okocha has backed Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo in one of football’s most enduring debates, arguing that the Argentine’s ability and creativity set him apart from other great players.

Okocha, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most gifted footballers, was asked to choose between Messi and Ronaldo and made his preference clear.

“Messi for me,” Okocha said.

While acknowledging Ronaldo’s remarkable achievements, Okocha drew a distinction between the Portuguese forward’s game and Messi’s unique style.

“Ronaldo is special, but he’s a goalscorer like Haaland,” he said, referring to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

For Okocha, Messi offers something beyond his ability to score goals.

“Messi is on another planet. He’s art. He was born to play football,” the former Nigeria international added.

Okocha also suggested that football is deeply embedded in Messi’s character, describing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as someone whose life appears inseparable from the game.

“I think Messi would get ill if he doesn’t play football,” he said.

The comments add another prominent voice to the long-running Messi-Ronaldo debate, which has divided football supporters for more than a decade.

Messi and Ronaldo dominated world football for much of the 2000s and 2010s, collecting individual awards, breaking scoring records and winning major trophies with club and country.

Messi’s supporters point to his extraordinary dribbling, vision, passing, chance creation and goalscoring, while Ronaldo’s admirers highlight his physical power, athleticism, aerial ability, finishing and remarkable consistency in front of goal.

Both players have also enjoyed sustained success at international level.

Messi finally won the Copa America with Argentina in 2021 before leading his country to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, where he was named player of the tournament.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, helped Portugal win the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Okocha’s own reputation gives his assessment particular weight. Known for his dazzling dribbling, close control, improvisation and ability to entertain supporters, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers star was himself celebrated for producing moments of individual brilliance.

His description of Messi as “art” therefore reflects a footballing philosophy that places creativity and expression alongside goals and trophies.

The debate over who is the greatest player of the modern era is unlikely to disappear, but Okocha’s verdict is unequivocal: when it comes to Messi and Ronaldo, he believes Messi’s overall artistry puts him in a class of his own.