Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has declared that he relates more to Cristiano Ronaldo than Lionel Messi in football’s endless GOAT debate, even as he praised Messi’s “pure talent” and suggested he may be the greatest ever.
Speaking at the NBA All-Star Game Media Day on February 15, 2026, the two-time MVP and NBA champion explained his preference by highlighting shared traits with the 41-year-old Ronaldo.
“I think Messi is a pure talent. Pure talent, and with hard work and discipline throughout his career and consistency of being in the top. He is probably, maybe, the best player of all time,” Giannis said. “But for me, I relate and I get closer to people that I’m similar to them, like hard work, discipline, take care of your body, be consistent for many years. He’s 41 years old now, right? 41 years old, still playing high level, so my mindset is closer to Cristiano Ronaldo’s mindset.”
He added: “Different people, he’s more flashy than me and I’m not like that. But when it comes to the game, the love and the consistency and the hard work and the, you know, push the envelope and keep on getting better, I’m more similar to Ronaldo.”
The Greek-Nigerian forward, a passionate football fan who grew up idolizing players like Luis Figo, Nani, and Deco, has long shown support for Ronaldo—famously mimicking his ‘Siuuu’ celebration. Giannis holds stakes in Nashville SC (MLS) and Chelsea Women, and once called Ronaldo “the one and only” GOAT.
As Giannis himself enters basketball’s GOAT conversation alongside icons like Michael Jordan, he reflected on the parallel: “The most important thing, once you get to that point that you say Messi or Ronaldo, you already won. I wish to get to a point where they say Michael Jordan or Giannis, I already won in life.”
The comments come amid Giannis’s stellar career with the Bucks, featuring two NBA titles, MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year honors, fueled by the same relentless work ethic he admires in Ronaldo.