Messi named 114-cap star as England’s “greatest ever player” ahead of Rooney

When Lionel Messi speaks, the football world listens. For nearly two decades, the little magician from Rosario has been the standard bearer of excellence, the face of football’s modern era, and a man whose opinion carries weight far beyond the pitch. He has dazzled in Spain, lifted trophies in Paris, and now finishes his remarkable journey in the United States with Inter Miami. But when it comes to the eternal debates that dominate the sport—who is the best, who deserves to be remembered, and which players stand tallest in history—Messi’s voice remains as powerful as any.

So when the Argentine legend was asked about England’s greatest-ever footballer, many expected him to lean towards household names such as Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, or perhaps even the record-breaking talents of players from earlier eras. England has never lacked heroes: Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, and John Terry are all names that echo through the halls of English football history. But Messi’s choice stunned many. Without hesitation, he picked Steven Gerrard.

Yes, Steven George Gerrard, the Liverpool-born midfielder who carried the pride of Merseyside on his shoulders for nearly two decades. Messi described him as *England’s greatest-ever player,* and in doing so, reignited one of the most passionate debates in football.

For some, Messi’s words were confirmation of what they had always believed: that Gerrard, despite never lifting the Premier League trophy, was the complete footballer. For others, it seemed like a bold claim, perhaps even controversial, to place him ahead of goal-scoring machines like Rooney and Kane. But this is not the first time Gerrard has been spoken of in mythical tones. For Liverpool fans, he has always been more than just a player. He was their captain, their leader, their symbol of hope, and the man who produced miracles when miracles were needed most.

To understand why Messi holds Gerrard in such high regard, one must journey through the career of the Whiston-born midfielder who became a global icon. Gerrard’s career was defined by moments of breathtaking brilliance and heart-shattering near misses. He made his Liverpool debut in 1998 as a skinny teenager but quickly established himself as a fierce competitor. His ability to win tackles, spray passes across the pitch, and unleash thunderous shots from distance made him a midfielder unlike any other in England at the time.

By the early 2000s, Gerrard had become Liverpool’s heartbeat. He was the man who set the tempo, who dictated matches, and who inspired those around him. Managers like Gérard Houllier and later Rafael Benítez built their sides around him. Opponents feared him. Fans worshipped him. And soon enough, the world was taking notice.

Perhaps no night defines Gerrard more than the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul. Liverpool were dead and buried at half-time, trailing 3-0 to a star-studded AC Milan side that featured Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, and Kaká. The world was ready to write Liverpool’s obituary. But Gerrard refused to accept defeat. He scored the first goal, lifted his arms to the fans, and demanded belief. That spark ignited one of the greatest comebacks in football history. Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso added two more, and Liverpool clawed their way to penalties, where they completed the miracle. Gerrard lifted the Champions League trophy that night, cementing his status as a legend forever.

It was nights like those that caught Messi’s attention. As a player himself, Messi knows that football is not just about statistics or records, but about moments that transcend the sport. Gerrard’s career was littered with such moments. The last-minute thunderbolt against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final, known as *The Gerrard Final.* The long-range strikes against Olympiacos and Marseille. The endless goals from nowhere, the lung-busting runs from midfield, and the tackles that shook stadiums. He was not just a footballer—he was a warrior who carried the weight of his club and city.

Messi once said of Gerrard: *“Personally, I think Steven Gerrard is England’s greatest ever player. I wish him a happy retirement.”* Coming from Messi, a man who has faced every type of opponent, that is not a casual remark. It is a statement carved in respect.

Yet, critics will argue that Gerrard cannot be the greatest. They point to the fact that he never won the Premier League. That, despite his brilliance, England’s so-called “Golden Generation”—with Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Beckham, Rooney, and others—never fulfilled its potential on the international stage. Some believe Wayne Rooney, with his 53 international goals, deserves the crown. Others say Harry Kane, who continues to break records, is destined to take that title. But what Gerrard had was something rarer: an ability to inspire.

Even his managers admitted it. Gérard Houllier once described him as “a natural-born leader, a very inspirational leader. He is somebody you want to follow.” For England, Gerrard may not have lifted major silverware, but for Liverpool, he was a constant source of inspiration, driving them to victories they had no right to achieve.

The debate becomes even more interesting when you consider Messi himself. Throughout his career, Messi faced the best midfielders and defenders in the world. He knows what greatness looks like. That he singled out Gerrard tells us that the Liverpool captain made an impression not just on fans, but on the very best player to ever kick a football.

Gerrard’s career, however, was also tinged with pain. Perhaps the most haunting image came in 2014, during Liverpool’s incredible title chase under Brendan Rodgers. Gerrard, desperate to finally lift the Premier League, famously slipped against Chelsea, allowing Demba Ba to score. That slip has become a cruel meme, overshadowing the fact that Gerrard carried that Liverpool team on his back all season. It remains one of football’s most heartbreaking ironies: the man who gave everything for his club fell just short of the one trophy he craved most.

But greatness is not defined by perfection. Greatness is defined by legacy, by the emotions a player stirs, and by the respect of their peers. Gerrard has all of that in abundance. Eleven trophies at Liverpool, including the Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cups, and League Cups. Over 700 appearances. 114 England caps. And, most importantly, a reputation that even Lionel Messi recognises as untouchable.

The Messi-Gerrard connection is not just about admiration from afar. Messi has always been a student of football. He watches, he studies, and he appreciates players who embody passion and leadership. Gerrard was exactly that. In many ways, Gerrard’s story mirrors Argentina’s own struggles before Messi finally delivered them the Copa América and World Cup. A player of immense talent carrying the weight of expectation, often criticised for things beyond his control, yet always refusing to give up.

As Messi edges toward the twilight of his own career, his words about Gerrard take on even more weight. They are not the casual remarks of a current rival, but the reflective admiration of a man who understands what it takes to stay at the top for years. Messi’s legacy is secure. Gerrard’s legacy is sometimes debated. But when one legend crowns another, the argument becomes harder to dismiss.

For England, Gerrard’s story is bittersweet. The national team has always searched for a player to embody their spirit, and in Gerrard, they had one. He may not have brought football home, but he played with pride, passion, and unmatched desire. For Liverpool, he will forever be the symbol of an era. And for Messi, he is the greatest England has produced.

The debate will rage on. Some will argue for Rooney’s goals, Kane’s records, Charlton’s World Cup, or Gascoigne’s magic. But Gerrard’s name will always sit in the conversation. And thanks to Messi’s words, his claim to greatness now carries the endorsement of the greatest of them all.

In the end, Gerrard’s story is not just about medals or records. It is about loyalty to a boyhood club, about unforgettable moments, about carrying teammates when legs were tired and hope was gone. It is about rising in the biggest matches, silencing doubters, and earning respect worldwide. That is why, when Lionel Messi was asked, he did not hesitate. For him, Gerrard is the greatest.