Obafemi Martins Declares Cristiano Ronaldo The GOAT Over Lionel Messi: “He’s A Machine”

In a recent appearance on the Football Fans Tribe podcast, former Nigerian international striker Obafemi Martins weighed in on the timeless debate of football’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT), picking Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Lionel Messi.

Martins, who played for top European clubs such as Inter Milan and Newcastle United, praised Ronaldo for his relentless work ethic and goal-scoring prowess.

“If I’m to choose, I would go with Ronaldo. That guy is a total machine. He’s still playing, and more importantly, still scoring,” Martins said.

The former Super Eagles star highlighted the difficulty of performing at elite levels across multiple football leagues. He noted that while many admire Messi for his humility and calm demeanor, sometimes being “a little arrogant” can fuel greater success in a highly competitive sport.

“It’s incredibly challenging to play in different countries and still deliver. People love Messi because he appears humble and not arrogant. But honestly, in football, a touch of arrogance is sometimes necessary to push yourself further,” he added.

Martins vs Messi and Ronaldo: A Glimpse into the Past

Obafemi Martins had the rare opportunity to face both football legends during his career. He encountered Lionel Messi while playing for Rubin Kazan against FC Barcelona in the 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League group stage. He also went head-to-head with Cristiano Ronaldo during his time in the English Premier League with Newcastle United, while Ronaldo was at Manchester United.

Martins’ choice reflects the views of many football fans who admire Ronaldo’s consistency, physical dominance, and goal-scoring legacy across Europe’s top leagues.