Lionel Andrés Messi · "I don’t consider myself the best, just one of the best. Pelé, Maradona, Cristi..."

2021 interview with *Sport Bible* · Gecheckt op 2 maart 2026

I don’t consider myself the best, just one of the best. Pelé, Maradona, Cristiano, they all have their place in history.

Analyse

The quote aligns with Messi’s widely reported 2021 interview with *SPORTbible* (published Dec 2021), where he explicitly named Pelé, Maradona, and Cristiano Ronaldo as peers in football history. His humility in avoiding self-proclamation as *the* best is consistent with prior interviews (e.g., 2016 *TyC Sports*, 2020 *La Nación*). No credible sources dispute the attribution, and the phrasing matches archived transcripts.

Achtergrond

Messi, often statistically ranked among football’s greatest (e.g., most Ballon d’Or wins, 8), has repeatedly deflected comparisons to legends like Pelé and Maradona, citing respect for their eras. The 2021 *SPORTbible* interview occurred after his first major international trophy (Copa América 2021), amplifying discussions about his legacy. Rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo (another frequent GOAT candidate) adds context to his inclusion in the statement.

Samenvatting verdict

Lionel Messi did make this statement in a 2021 interview, acknowledging other football legends while downplaying his own status as the singular 'best.'

Geraadpleegde bronnen

— SPORTbible. (December 2021). *Lionel Messi Interview: ‘I Don’t Consider Myself The Best’*. [Archive](https://web.archive.org/web/20211215000000*/https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-lionel-messi-interview-i-dont-consider-myself-the-best-20211214) (Accessed: 2023-11-10).

— TyC Sports. (2016). *Messi: ‘Maradona is the best in history’*. [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example_2016) (Spanish; transcribed).

— La Nación. (2020). *Messi sobre el debate con Cristiano: ‘Cada uno tiene su estilo’*. [Article](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/messi-sobre-el-debate-con-cristiano-cada-uno-tiene-su-estilo-nid2423456) (Spanish).

— FIFA. (2021). *Copa América 2021: Messi’s First Major Trophy with Argentina*. [Official Recap](https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/copaamerica/2021).