Giannis enters the Messi vs Ronaldo GOAT debate with a surprising comparison

When Giannis Antetokounmpo talks about greatness, people listen. It doesn’t matter if the conversation is about basketball or soccer.

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar weighed in on the never-ending Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate during NBA All-Star media availability, offering a thoughtful take that quickly resonated across both sports worlds.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Ronaldo comparison

While Giannis praised Lionel Messi as a once-in-a-generation talent, he admitted he personally identifies far more with Cristiano Ronaldo, and the reasons say a lot about how Giannis views himself.

“I think Messi is a pure talent,” Giannis said. “Pure talent, and with hard work and discipline throughout his career and consistency of being at the top, he’s probably the best player of all time.”

But when it came to mindset, Giannis relates more to Ronaldo.

“For me, I relate and get closer to people that I’m similar to. Hard work, discipline, taking care of your body, being consistent for many years,” he said. “He’s 41 years old now, still playing at a high level. So my mindset is closer to Cristiano Ronaldo’s mindset.”

Giannis made it clear that his preference isn’t about flash, flair, or aesthetics, but instead, it’s about approach.

“We’re different people,” he said. “He’s more flashy than me, and I’m not like that. But when it comes to the game - the love, the consistency, the hard work, pushing the envelope and trying to get better...I’m more similar to Ronaldo.”

That comparison fits Giannis’ own journey. A player who transformed his body, refined his skills year after year, and built his legacy through relentless improvement rather than natural finesse alone. Ronaldo’s longevity, discipline, and physical dedication clearly struck a chord.

“That doesn’t happen overnight,” Giannis said of Ronaldo’s ability to still perform at 41. “That takes extreme dedication.”

Giannis speaking about soccer isn’t anything new. He has personal ties to the sport. Growing up in Greece, soccer was a major part of his childhood before basketball became his path. That passion never faded. Today, Giannis is deeply connected to the sport both as a fan and an investor, making his voice more than just celebrity commentary.

He is a part-owner of Nashville SC in Major League Soccer, a role that has already put him in Messi’s orbit since the Argentine’s arrival in MLS with Inter Miami. Giannis even attended matches following Messi’s move to the United States, embracing the moment as both an owner and a lifelong fan. Beyond MLS, Giannis has also invested in Chelsea FC Women, further cementing his footprint in the global game.

And Giannis has been spotted breaking out Ronaldo’s iconic “Siuuu” celebration, a nod that didn’t go unnoticed by soccer fans.

Despite choosing Ronaldo as the player he relates to most, Giannis was careful not to diminish Messi’s accomplishments, acknowledging that greatness ultimately comes down to preference.

“When you start comparing Ballon d’Ors, Champions Leagues, World Cups...it’s what you prefer,” he said.

Then came the line that may have resonated most with fans.

“The most important thing is this: once you get to that point where people are debating ‘Messi or Ronaldo?’, you already won.”

Giannis smiled before adding his own long-term aspiration.

“I wish to get to a point where they say, ‘Jordan or Giannis?’ Then I already won in life.”

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