Manchester United star Bryan Mbeumo has revealed that Lionel Messi stands out as his all-time favourite player, edging out Cristiano Ronaldo despite acknowledging the Portuguese legend’s greatness.

In a recent sit-down with F2Freestylers, the Cameroon international was asked to select his favourite players from eight different countries. His choices included Wayne Rooney (England), Juninho (Brazil), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Toni Kroos (Germany), Eden Hazard (Belgium)—and of course, Lionel Messi from Argentina.

While praising Ronaldo as the greatest Portuguese footballer in history, Mbeumo made it clear that Messi’s influence on his own game has been unmatched. The 25-year-old has previously admitted that both Messi and Ronaldo served as his role models growing up, but when pressed to pick just one, his admiration leaned towards the Argentine icon.

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Mbeumo’s confession will no doubt reignite the never-ending Messi vs. Ronaldo debate—a debate that has divided fans, pundits, and even professional players for over a decade. What makes his stance interesting is the balance he gives: respect for Ronaldo’s unrivaled legacy, yet a personal connection to Messi’s artistry.

And perhaps that’s the beauty of football itself. For many, Ronaldo embodies relentless ambition, discipline, and physical perfection, while Messi represents pure magic, vision, and effortless genius. Mbeumo’s choice says more about who inspires him as a footballer than about who is objectively “better.”

It also highlights how Messi continues to capture hearts across generations—even now, playing in the MLS with Inter Miami. For young forwards like Mbeumo, Messi’s career is more than statistics and trophies; it’s about creativity, the courage to express yourself on the pitch, and the freedom to play with joy.

In the end, whether one leans toward Messi’s artistry or Ronaldo’s powerhouse brilliance, what matters most is how both have shaped the modern game. And if Bryan Mbeumo’s words are anything to go by, Messi’s influence still burns brightest for players chasing their own dreams.