Home / Sports / Messi vs. Ronaldo: Phil Jones Picks His GOAT
Messi vs. Ronaldo: Phil Jones Picks His GOAT
7 Feb
Summary
- Phil Jones compared choosing between Messi and Ronaldo to selecting between parents.
- Jones ultimately favored Cristiano Ronaldo, his former Manchester United teammate.
- Ronaldo has scored 961 goals; Messi has scored 896 official goals to date.
Phil Jones, a former Manchester United player, has offered his perspective on the enduring debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jones described the difficulty of choosing between the two footballing icons, likening it to the impossible decision of picking a favorite parent. He ultimately leaned towards Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he shared a dressing room at Old Trafford.
Statistically, both players remain at the top of professional soccer's scoring charts. Cristiano Ronaldo has accumulated 961 official goals, while Lionel Messi has scored 896.
Ronaldo has achieved over 100 goals for four different clubs and his national team. Messi's goal-scoring legacy is strongly associated with Barcelona, where he netted over 650 goals in 17 seasons, and his performances for Argentina.
Both stars continue to perform at high levels. As of February 7, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 18 goals this season for Al-Nassr, although recent reports suggest potential differences regarding investment in Saudi Arabian football.
