Thomas Muller Crowns Lionel Messi The GOAT, But Vows to “Hunt” Him Again

In a surprising shift in the greatest of all time debate, the German football legend and new Vancouver Whitecaps star says Messi’s elegance and World Cup victory have changed his mind, putting him ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

August 22, 2025: Thomas Muller, a German World Cup champion who had a long career at Bayern Munich and on the world stage, has officially chimed in on the biggest argument in football: he says Lionel Messi is the best player ever. The statements were made in a recent interview after his big move to the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS, where he will be able to continue his long-standing rivalry with the Argentine master.

The 35-year-old forward told MLSsoccer.com that he has changed his mind and that his preferences have changed over time. Muller stated, “To be honest, Messi is the best player we have in this game.” “We usually talk about Cristiano and Messi, and they’re both crazy. But Messi was a touch more graceful.

Muller said that his point of view has evolved as he has gotten older. He admitted, “If there was a GOAT debate in my first ten years of work, I would have gone for Cristiano.” “But now that I’m a little older and more romantic, I care more about the style than the work ethic or performance.” He decided that Messi’s leadership of Argentina to their third World Cup title in Qatar was the last thing that made his legacy solid.

The two icons have played against each other many times in both club and international games. Their rivalry is legendary for both wins and losses, as Bayern Munich’s historic 8-2 Champions League win over Barcelona and Barcelona’s 2015 Champions League win.

Muller closed the interview with a humorous caution to his new MLS adversary, even though he got a lot of praise. He smiled and stated, “But I will hunt you again,” looking straight into the camera. This was a reference to their impending games in North American football.