“He was my idol” — Bukayo Saka’s Emotional Pick Between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

For many years, football fans around the world have argued about one thing — who is the greatest of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? This debate has lasted for over two decades, and it’s not hard to understand why. These two legends have dominated football like no one else, breaking records, winning trophies, and inspiring millions of fans across the globe.

Some people prefer Messi for his natural talent, his dribbling skills, and his vision on the pitch. Others admire Ronaldo for his strength, speed, dedication, and ability to score in almost every game. But no matter who you choose, one thing is clear — both players are special.

And while fans continue to debate, it’s even more interesting when professional footballers are asked the same question. One of those footballers is Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka. He was recently asked who he admired more between Messi and Ronaldo. His answer was full of emotion and respect.

In an interview in March 2024 on the Men in Blazers podcast, Bukayo Saka shared his thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo and how the Portuguese legend inspired him while growing up. Saka didn’t hesitate. He clearly said that Ronaldo was his idol when he was younger.

“Personally, I can’t imagine playing for as long as Ronaldo, and that’s why I have so much respect for him. Obviously, when I was younger, he was my idol. But now that I’m playing football professionally, I have even more respect for him — how he’s managed to stay this disciplined and this focused and achieve everything he’s achieved. So yeah, he’s special.”

These words from Saka showed how deeply he respects Ronaldo. As a professional now, Saka understands better than anyone just how hard it is to stay at the top of your game for so long. Ronaldo has done it for over 20 years, and that has left a big impression on the young Arsenal star. Ronaldo’s journey has been about hard work and a never-give-up attitude. From a poor background in Madeira to becoming one of the most famous athletes in the world, Ronaldo’s story is about determination and self-belief. It’s no surprise that Saka looked up to him while growing up.

Saka himself is still young but has already achieved a lot. He has become a key player for Arsenal and the England national team. His pace, skill, and calmness under pressure have made him one of the most exciting young footballers in the world today. And knowing that he looked up to Ronaldo while dreaming of becoming a footballer himself makes his story even more special. Saka has had the chance to face his idol on the pitch. So far, he has played against Cristiano Ronaldo three times in his career. All these matches were in the Premier League during Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United in the 2021–2022 season. Out of those three games, Arsenal won once, while Manchester United won the other two.

Even though Ronaldo was no longer at his absolute peak during that time, playing against someone he had admired for years must have been a surreal moment for Saka. To go from watching Ronaldo on television as a child to marking him on the pitch as a professional is something most young footballers can only dream about.

On the other hand, Saka has never played against Lionel Messi, either at club level or for his country. Messi spent most of his career at Barcelona and then moved to Paris Saint-Germain and later Inter Miami in the United States. Since Saka plays in England and represents the England national team, the paths of these two players have never crossed.

But even though Saka didn’t pick Messi as his idol, he surely respects the Argentine legend. After all, Messi is one of the greatest players ever. He has won more Ballon d’Ors than anyone in history and has delivered countless magical moments on the football field.

While Saka has shared his admiration for Ronaldo, it’s important to remember that Ronaldo himself has shown great respect for Messi over the years. One of the best examples of this came in 2016 during a very difficult time for Messi.

In the summer of 2016, Lionel Messi was heartbroken after Argentina lost another final. It was the Copa America final against Chile, and it ended in a penalty shootout. Messi missed his penalty, and Argentina lost the final. It was his third straight final loss with the national team, and after the match, Messi was in tears. He even announced that he was retiring from international football.

It was a shocking and emotional moment. Many fans couldn’t believe it. The football world was sad to see Messi suffer so much. But in that moment, Ronaldo did something beautiful. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Ronaldo offered his support to Messi and asked fans to understand what he was going through. “Messi has taken a tough decision, and people should understand. He is not used to defeats and disappointments — not even finishing second. Missing a penalty does not make you a bad player. It hurts to see Messi in tears, and I hope he returns to his country because he needs it.

Those words touched many people. It showed that behind the rivalry, there was respect. Ronaldo knew how much pressure Messi was under, and he offered him kindness during a painful moment.

As it turned out, Messi did return to international football. And what followed was one of the greatest comebacks in football history. In 2021, Messi finally won his first major trophy with Argentina. He led his country to victory in the Copa America, beating Brazil in the final at the Maracanã Stadium. It was a moment of pure joy for Messi and his fans.

Then, in 2022, Messi reached the highest point of his career — he won the FIFA World Cup. In an unforgettable tournament in Qatar, Messi led Argentina all the way to the final, where they beat France in a dramatic match. Messi scored twice in the final and also converted his penalty in the shootout. He finally had the one trophy that had always escaped him.

And he didn’t stop there. In 2024, Messi won another Copa America title, proving that he was still at the top of his game even in his mid-30s. As of now, Messi has won 46 major trophies — the most by any football player in history.

Cristiano Ronaldo has also enjoyed great success with his national team. In 2016, he helped Portugal win the UEFA European Championship, their first ever major trophy. Even though he was injured in the final and had to go off early, he motivated his teammates from the sidelines. Portugal beat France 1-0 in extra time.

In 2019, Ronaldo led Portugal to another title — the UEFA Nations League. This made him one of the few players to win multiple trophies with their national team. At the club level, Ronaldo has also won the Champions League multiple times, league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, and has scored more than 850 career goals. Even now, in his late 30s, Ronaldo continues to perform at a high level. He plays in the Saudi Pro League, where he remains a major attraction. His hunger to succeed, his passion for football, and his love for winning are still strong.

The stories of Messi and Ronaldo are different but equally powerful. Messi represents natural talent, quiet leadership, and magical moments. Ronaldo represents hard work, confidence, and the will to never give up. Both have given football fans memories that will last a lifetime.

Bukayo Saka’s admiration for Ronaldo is a reminder that football is more than just stats. It’s about inspiration. It’s about the connection between young players and their heroes. Saka saw in Ronaldo someone who showed that anything is possible with belief and effort.

At the same time, Messi’s journey has shown that talent combined with perseverance can create history. From losing finals to winning the World Cup, Messi’s story is one of patience and triumph. Today, players like Saka, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and others are leading the new generation. But they all grew up watching Messi and Ronaldo. These two legends changed the game forever.

Even though their careers are slowly coming to an end, the impact of Messi and Ronaldo will never fade. They’ve inspired fans and players all over the world, and stories like Bukayo Saka’s prove just how powerful that influence can be. Saka’s words — “He was my idol” — will always remind us of the bond between past and present. It shows how one footballer’s journey can light the path for another. And as long as football exists, the names Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will live on — not just in record books, but in the hearts of millions.