Zidane names Messi as football’s greatest player ever, insisting there should be little doubt about the Argentine’s status in the GOAT debate

Paris, September 9, 2026: Zinedine Zidane, France head coach and Real Madrid legend, has named Lionel Messi as the greatest player in football history, offering a decisive verdict in the long-running GOAT debate.

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Zidane made the comment while discussing whether the 39-year-old former Argentina captain should be regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.

The former France midfielder was unequivocal in his assessment of Messi’s standing in the sport.

“If anyone still has doubts about the GOAT debate, honestly, that person does not belong in football society,” Zidane said, according to Marca.

Messi’s remarkable career has given supporters plenty of evidence for his claim to the title. The Inter Miami forward has collected an extraordinary haul of individual and team honours during a career spanning Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Argentina.

Among his most significant achievements is the FIFA World Cup, which Messi won with Argentina in 2022. He has also lifted the UEFA Champions League and numerous domestic titles.

His international success has further strengthened his case after years of debate over whether his club achievements could be matched at national-team level.

Zidane’s endorsement carries particular weight given his own standing in football. The Frenchman enjoyed an illustrious playing career with Real Madrid and France before moving into management.

Messi, meanwhile, has continued to command attention late in his career, with his achievements leaving him among the most decorated players the sport has produced.

The GOAT debate has traditionally placed Messi alongside other football icons, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé and Diego Maradona.

Supporters often differ over the criteria used to determine the greatest, ranging from trophies and individual awards to longevity, influence and performances at the highest level.

For Zidane, however, the argument is considerably simpler.

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His emphatic assessment places Messi firmly at the summit of football history and adds another influential voice to the extraordinary legacy of the Argentine superstar.