AFCON 2025
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has named Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, citing the Argentine’s extraordinary ability to dominate games with the ball at his feet.
Speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast, the Fulham star reflected on facing both football icons during his career and admitted that Messi’s presence on the pitch was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
While acknowledging Ronaldo’s incredible aura and goalscoring efficiency, Iwobi said the Portuguese legend was at a different stage of his career when they met.
“That’s a tough one. It’s tough for me. I always say, Messi,” Iwobi said.
He explained that Ronaldo’s game was built around getting into dangerous positions and scoring goals, but Messi had an almost untouchable quality whenever he was in possession.
Recalling his first UEFA Champions League start at Camp Nou, Iwobi described the intimidating atmosphere of facing a Barcelona side packed with world-class talents, including Neymar, Luis Suárez, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández and Dani Alves.
According to the Nigerian international, despite the abundance of superstars, it was Messi who commanded the attention of everyone inside the stadium.
“You head out of the tunnel and the fans are chanting Messi’s name. Meanwhile, there are other superstars,” he said.
Iwobi revealed that Messi’s close control made it feel as though he had an “invisible force field” around him, preventing defenders from getting near the ball.
“Every time he had the ball, it was like he had a radius around him that no one could come close to,” he added.
The midfielder also shared an embarrassing moment from that match, admitting he attempted to press Messi but was effortlessly beaten by the Argentine before slipping to the ground.
“I tried to press him because I was tired of the force field he had around him. He cut in and went past me, and I slipped. It comes out on every Messi compilation and I go, ‘Oh God’, that’s me again.”
Iwobi’s comments add another perspective to the long-running debate over football’s greatest player, with the Nigerian midfielder giving the nod to Messi based on his firsthand experience of facing both global icons.
