One of the biggest athletes of today, UFC fighter Ilia Topuria, reignited the age-old debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with some striking comments that favored the Argentine over the Portuguese icon.
Topuria, who has previously declared himself a Real Madrid fan, expressed a surprising lack of admiration for Ronaldo during a recent interview.
While discussing a potential fight in Miami, he mentioned that he would personally invite Lionel Messi to watch.
🗣️ Ilia Topuria: “F*** Cristiano [Ronaldo] as long as Messi exists.” 😳🍿
🎥 @partidazocope #UFC #MMA #Footballpic.twitter.com/4zAHsLZDXS
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 10, 2024
He then added, “As long as Messi exists, Cristiano can go to hell,” a bold statement that further fueled the rivalry between these two legendary footballers.
A Rivalry That Refuses to Fade
For over a decade, the Messi-Ronaldo debate has divided football fans, and Topuria’s comments show that this rivalry still holds strong in the minds of many.
While the footballing world seems to have largely moved on, with both players being celebrated as two of the greatest of all time, statements like these continue to reignite the competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo was picking Max Holloway to beat Ilia Topuria:
“[Topuria] speaks too much… I think when he [beat] Volk, Volk wasn’t [ready] because of that kick…
[Topuria] didn’t fight with the top guys. If he beats Max, I will respect.”
🎥 @PFLMMApic.twitter.com/kLTps7MUyK
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 1, 2024
Topuria’s remarks came despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s unparalleled legacy as a Real Madrid legend—a fact that makes his comments even more surprising given the boxer’s allegiance to the Spanish club.
A response from Ronaldo’s side
Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo recently named UFC fighter Max Holloway as his favorite over Ilia Topuria, a sentiment that may have added fuel to the fire.
It’s unclear whether Topuria’s statements were influenced by this, but the timing raises questions.
While fans continue to debate who is better—Messi or Ronaldo—it’s clear that figures like Topuria keep this rivalry alive, even as both players approach the twilight of their careers.
Whether this was a calculated jab or a genuine personal opinion, the comments highlight how deeply entrenched the Messi-Ronaldo debate remains in popular culture.
