'The Greatest!' — Bruno Guimarães reveals his football GOAT after facing Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar

‎Bruno Guimarães has weighed in on football’s greatest debate — and for the Brazil international, the answer is clear. After sharing the pitch with three of the most iconic players of the modern era — Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar — the Newcastle United star has crowned Messi as his undisputed GOAT.

‎

Bruno Guimarães names Lionel Messi as football’s GOAT after facing Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

‎Getty Images (2)

‎

‎Speaking to TNT Sports, Guimarães reflected on the toughest opponents of his career and did not hesitate when asked who stands above the rest: “I've played against Messi, Cristiano, Neymar... I choose Messi.”

‎

‎Bruno's admiration for Messi stems from a memorable match during his time at Olympique Lyonnais, when his side lined up against Paris Saint-Germain. It was in that game that he experienced what he describes as a surreal, dreamlike moment:

‎

‎“There was a time when we were playing Lyon and PSG. Messi was already at PSG. We were about to start the game. The referee gave a minute or so. Man, I saw Messi doing this gesture. I thought, 'Man, is he talking to me?' Messi was calling me over, gesturing like that. I went over, shook his hand, and he hugged me. I couldn’t believe it. There’s even a video of that moment on the internet.”

‎

‎Guimarães went on to recall how mesmerizing Messi was with the ball at his feet: “When he dribbles, it's like he puts Super Glue on his foot; the ball never leaves his control! The guys told me to cover the left side. But it’s Messi! You can't stop him.”

‎

‎Despite being given the daunting task of marking the Argentine legend, Bruno proudly noted that he held his own, and Messi did not score in that match — a personal victory he still cherishes.

‎

‎Now a key figure at Newcastle United, Guimarães helped the club secure its long-awaited Carabao Cup triumph in 2025, their first major trophy in decades. With 33 senior appearances for Brazil, he’s on course to feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and could potentially face more legends of the game, perhaps even once again alongside Neymar.

‎

‎Lionel Messi, now starring in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, continues to be an active and influential force at 37, while Cristiano Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League at 40. Neymar has made a short-term return to Santos, completing a nostalgic loop in his career.

‎

‎Yet, for Guimarães, no accolade or legacy rivals that of Messi — the man with eight Ballons d’Or and an aura that still leaves world-class peers in awe. SA