'Lionel Messi Is Too Much!': Presnel Kimpembe Says 'Crazy' Ex-PSG Team-Mate Will Always Ranks Above Cristiano Ronaldo

By: Shawn
‎Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe has shared his thoughts on the long-running GOAT conversation involving Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, making it clear where his loyalty lies.
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‎Former PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe reveals why Lionel Messi surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo, praising the Argentine’s unmatched talent and technical brilliance.
‎Getty Images Sport (2)

‎Having spent two seasons alongside Messi in Paris between 2021 and 2023, Kimpembe experienced the Argentine’s quality firsthand at the Parc des Princes. The French centre-back admitted that Messi’s move to PSG created huge excitement inside the squad.
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‎Speaking on Just Riadh’s YouTube channel, Kimpembe recalled his reaction when Messi arrived in the French capital.
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‎“The arrival of Leo Messi at PSG? Crazy... crazy... I was like a madman,” he said. “When he arrives at PSG, you're just so happy. You tell yourself: ‘The best player in the world is on my team.’”
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‎Asked directly to choose between Messi and Ronaldo, the 2018 World Cup winner sided with the Argentine icon while still praising Ronaldo’s commitment and work ethic.
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‎“I like both, but I'd say Team Messi,” Kimpembe explained. “He's too strong. I also like Ronaldo a lot, because you know he's a hard worker. Messi was born with it. Ronaldo was also born with it, but he shaped it in his own way.”
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‎Kimpembe also detailed what it was like sharing training sessions with Messi, especially during rondos, where the World Cup-winning forward’s technical ability left players struggling to keep up.
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‎“Messi is too much, brother,” he added. “When you played rondos with him, the technical quality... you would try to press him but he had already seen everything and would fake you out... it was crazy.”
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‎The two global stars are now continuing their careers on separate continents. Messi is currently starring for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer after extending his contract until 2028. He has already scored three times in his opening three matches of the 2026 campaign.
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‎Meanwhile, Ronaldo remains with Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia. The 41-year-old is currently recovering from a hamstring injury but continues to chase the remarkable milestone of 1,000 official career goals. He has already reached 965 goals and is still targeting major silverware with Al-Nassr as well as World Cup success with Portugal national football team.
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‎Kimpembe has also started a fresh chapter in his own career. After coming through the PSG academy at the age of 10 and spending 11 seasons with the club, he departed after making 241 appearances and winning 26 trophies, including eight Ligue 1 titles and the 2025 Champions League. Following a difficult spell with injuries, the 30-year-old completed a move to Qatar SC.

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