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| Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller during training. — Reuters/File |
Thomas Müller Switches Sides in ‘GOAT’ Debate: Messi Now Reigns Supreme
Thomas Müller Switches Sides in GOAT Debate: Now Says Messi Not Ronaldo is the Greatest
Thomas Müller reveals he once favored Cristiano Ronaldo, but now backs Lionel Messi as GOAT. He explains how age and Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win changed his perspective.
Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller during training. — Reuters/File Former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has shifted his stance in the long-running football debate over who deserves the title of the “greatest of all time” between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.Muller,...
For years, former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller leaned toward Cristiano Ronaldo in the debate over who’s the greatest of all time (GOAT). But after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, Müller has publicly changed his tune—now championing Lionel Messi as the all-time best. In a recent MLS interview, the German legend explained: as he’s aged, he’s grown more “romantic,” prioritizing elegance and aesthetics over raw performance and work ethic.
This shift isn’t just sentimental. Müller’s admiration for Messi's style and grace—highlighted by his World Cup win—is more compelling than ever. He acknowledged both legends: “Both are absolutely crazy,” he said, but added that Messi's artistry now swings the debate in his favor.
From Ronaldo Admiration to Messianic Elegance
Müller didn’t always favor Messi. During his first decade as a pro, it was Ronaldo who embodied the GOAT to him. His choice was grounded in performance, intensity, and sheer athleticism—strengths Ronaldo exemplifies. But Messi's emotional arc culminating in a World Cup trophy shifted Müller’s perspective. He now views Messi’s nuanced playstyle as transcendent.
Despite their intense rivalry on the field—Müller has beaten Messi numerous times, including memorable clashes in the 2014 World Cup final and Bayern's 8–2 Champions League win—he still revered Messi’s timeless brilliance.
The New “Romantic” Lens on Greatness
What’s especially striking is Müller’s self-awareness. He admits that age has softened his metrics for greatness. He now values emotion, elegance, and the intangible magic that fans feel watching a player move like Messi. This new perspective is less about statistics or trophies and more about lasting impression and beauty in the game.
This change encapsulates the ongoing GOAT dialogue—not just who scored more goals or lifted more titles, but who moved people, and whose legacy will resonate beyond records.
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