Former Manchester United winger Nani has named Brazilian icon Ronaldinho as the greatest footballer of all time, leaving out both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi from the top spot.
In a fast-paced Q&A with ESPN, the Portuguese star revealed his all-time picks across several categories. While acknowledging Messi as the best playmaker ever, Nani opted for Brazilian legend Romário as the greatest finisher, overlooking his former club and international teammate Ronaldo.
Nani also selected Nemanja Vidić as the best defender of all time, former Belgium international Michel Preud’homme as the greatest goalkeeper, and chose Denílson—rather than Messi or Ronaldo—as the best dribbler ever.
The biggest surprise came at the end of the segment when Nani was asked to name the greatest footballer in history. Without hesitation, he chose Ronaldinho, praising the Brazilian’s flair and influence on the game.
Despite his selections, Nani urged fans to move past the long-running Messi-versus-Ronaldo debate. Speaking in 2025, he encouraged supporters to appreciate both superstars while they are still active, noting that football will feel different once they retire.
After Ronaldo extended his contract with Al-Nassr, Nani told GOAL that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains exceptional. “He’s a machine, he’s a different player, and you can tell by the level he’s reached in football,” he said. “We talk about Ronaldo and Messi a lot, but when they stop playing, football will never be the same again.”
Nani played alongside Ronaldo 130 times for club and country, combining for 14 goals. He also faced Messi five times in his career, recording two wins and three defeats against the Argentine.
