Not Cristiano Ronaldo, nor Messi, Nani designates the GOAT.

Asked by ESPN, the former Manchester United winger Nani dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to designate Ronaldinho as the greatest footballer of all time, a choice that is sure to provoke a reaction.

Nani surprised everyone. The former Manchester United winger dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi from his pick for the greatest footballer of all time, preferring to crown Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. Asked by ESPN as part of a question-and-answer game, the former Portuguese international made several bold decisions. To designate the best finisher in history, Nani thus preferred Brazilian Romário over his compatriot and former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Without hesitation, he nevertheless gave the title of best playmaker of all time to Lionel Messi. On defense, Nemanja Vidić was chosen as the absolute benchmark, while Michel Preud’homme was named the best goalkeeper in history. For the best dribbler, Nani again surprised by placing Denílson ahead of Messi and Ronaldo.

But the biggest surprise came during the final question, devoted to the greatest player of all time. At that moment, Nani ruled in favor of Ronaldinho, dismissing the two contemporary giants that are Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Already in 2025, the former Mancunian had urged fans to put an end to the endless debates around the Messi–Ronaldo duo and to enjoy their presence while they are still playing at the highest level. After Al-Nassr’s star extended his contract, Nani had told the media GOAL: “He is a machine, he is a different kind of player, and you can see it in the level he has reached in football (…) People talk a lot about Ronaldo and Messi, but when they stop playing, football will never be the same again.”

As a reminder, Nani played 130 matches alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, at club and country, the two men scoring 14 goals together. Against Lionel Messi, he crossed paths with the Argentine five times, for a record of three defeats and two victories.