Morgan Rogers gives verdict on Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate

England international Morgan Rogers has revealed how facing Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup changed his perspective on the long-running GOAT debate. Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, Rogers admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo remains his personal favourite but praised Messi’s extraordinary performance in England’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina.

“Ronaldo was my personal favourite, but I played Messi in that World Cup semi-final, he’s 39,” Rogers said, expressing disbelief at the Argentine’s ability at his age. Rogers had previously ranked Ronaldo, Neymar, Paul Pogba, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard as his five favourite players, notably leaving Messi out.