Ronaldinho's Verdict: Messi Remains the World's Top Footballer

Ronaldinho's Tribute to Messi

According to Главком: Former Brazilian football star Ronaldinho has declared Lionel Messi the planet's finest player. Ronaldinho expressed his hope that Messi will arrive at the upcoming World Cup in peak condition and perform at his absolute best.

Leo has many commitments and training sessions, but whenever we manage to spend some leisure time together, it brings immense joy. He continues to be the best footballer in the world.

- Ronaldinho

Messi's Current Form and Legacy

Lionel Messi, currently a forward for Inter Miami in the USA, has played 5 matches across all MLS regular season tournaments in the 2026 season, scoring 5 goals. Additionally, in the CONCACAF Champions League, he has played 2 matches and scored 1 goal. An eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi continues to display elite performance on the pitch despite being 38 years old. At the World Cup, the Argentine national team is scheduled to face:

• Algeria
• Austria
• Jordan

Who is Ronaldinho? He is a former midfielder for the Brazilian national team, born in Porto Alegre and a product of the Grêmio youth academy. Ronaldinho made his senior debut in the 1998 season, achieving his first club success at Grêmio, where he played until 2001. He later spent two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain before joining Barcelona ahead of the 2002/03 season for a five-year spell. With the Catalan club, Ronaldinho won two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups, and the 2005/06 Champions League. He also played for Italian side AC Milan, winning the Scudetto, and for Brazilian clubs Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro-where he won the Copa Libertadores-and Fluminense. The 2014/15 season saw him play for Mexican club Querétaro.

On the international stage, Ronaldinho debuted for Brazil in 1999, winning the Copa América that same year and becoming a world champion in 2002. He earned 97 caps and scored 33 goals for the Seleção. Ronaldinho also claimed the Ballon d'Or in 2005. His enduring popularity was demonstrated when Barcelona sold out a batch of retro jerseys from the 2005/06 season in just 24 hours.

Ronaldinho's recognition of Messi as the world's best underscores the lasting friendship and professional respect between these two football icons. The World Cup presents a major stage for Messi to showcase his enduring talent in the latter stages of his career. The Argentine squad harbors serious ambitions for the tournament, and its outcomes could significantly shape the final chapter of Messi's legendary journey.

As Messi continues to solidify his legacy, his recent achievement in surpassing Pelé for free-kick goals adds another remarkable chapter to his story. This milestone not only highlights his exceptional skill but also places him at the forefront of football history. To learn more about this significant record and see who currently leads the all-time rankings, check out our detailed analysis on Messi's free-kick prowess.