Stephen A. Smith wades into Ronaldo vs Messi GOAT debate and delivers brutally honest USMNT verdict

The Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo debate has dominated conversation amongst football fans for the last decade.

Supporters of Ronaldo often point to his unmatched athleticism, clutch gene and his status as the sport’s all-time goalscorer.

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Conversely, those who side with Messi highlight his superior vision and historic trophy cabinet, which includes a World Cup victory and a record eight Ballon d’OR awards.

Both of the legends play their domestic football in different corners of the globe, with Messi dominating for Inter Miami in the MLS, and Ronaldo for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

The debate remains as passionate as ever, with the 2026 World Cup approaching and it’s expected to be the pair’s last.

In an appearance on The Last Run with Chad Ochocinco and Raheem Taylor-Parkes, legendary ESPN reporter Stephen A. Smith was asked to give his opinion on the debate.

Chad Ochocinco then asked the veteran ESPN analyst to weigh his opinion on the Messi vs Ronaldo debate.

“Imma say Messi,” Smith replied, with Ocho slamming his chair and letting out a “god-dammit”

“I am not going to say I definitively know, but here’s what I am going to say,” Smith continued.

“I saw a guy [Messi] who was considered to be past his prime, an old man in soccer parlance, who came over to the United States and I saw him last season toy with young men.

“I mean it was like they were toddlers and he was a parent. Doing what he wanted, when he wanted and just having fun with them.

“I’m not saying Ronaldo couldn’t do those things, especially against competition in the United States, but sometimes Ronaldo makes things look hard.

YouTube / The Last Run

“But with Messi, things just don’t look hard. When I am monitoring greatness, it’s almost like the marathon runner… It’s those who make the hard look easy that distinguishes the difference between two people who are great.”

Smith gives honest verdict on USMT’s chances at the 2026 World Cup

Smith is widely recognized for his NBA coverage and frequent hot takes on ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ program.

But he also revealed on his podcast appearance that he has a deep background in soccer.

In 1991, a Winston-Salem Journal assignment forced him to cover the Wake Forest Demon Deacons soccer team for two seasons. 

With his experience in covering soccer, he was then asked to give an opinion on how USMT will do at the World Cup, and he did not mince his words.

“Let’s be clear, I’m not that knowledgeable about soccer, we ain’t gonna lie to nobody about that,” Smith continued.

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“I don’t know but I will tell you this. When I think of soccer, I do not think of the USA.

“I am happy when I see us competitive, but when I see Mexico, when I see Brazil, when I see some of these teams in Europe, I am loving it.”

All 104 games at the 2026 World Cup this summer will be live on talkSPORT, talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT app.