Messi–Ronaldo rivalry
Subject in Soccer
Messi–Ronaldo rivalry has come up in 4 episodes across 3 podcasts in TMT, including Pardon My Take, Lex Fridman Podcast, The Bill Simmons Podcast. 5 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
Khabib NurmagomedovRussian former mixed martial artist from Dagestan who retired as UFC lightweight champion with a 29-0 record
Nurmagomedov values players who take the initiative and are unafraid to fail, citing Zlatan Ibrahimović's complaint about teammates who immediately pass the ball away.
“I like players who are willing to take the initiative”
Lex Fridman Podcast: #500 – Khabib Nurmagomedov: Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor & Football (Aug 12, 2026) · Listen from 2:51:55
Nurmagomedov says Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on 1,000 career goals and questions whether Messi will ever reach that number.
“Will Messi ever reach that number is the big question”
Lex Fridman Podcast: #500 – Khabib Nurmagomedov: Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor & Football (Aug 12, 2026) · Listen from 2:42:24
Nurmagomedov argues Messi and Ronaldo pulled far ahead of everyone else by watching and competing with each other for nearly two decades.
“For almost 20 years, they've been watching each other, pushing each other, and constantly improving. They were already the best, but that drove them even further”
Lex Fridman Podcast: #500 – Khabib Nurmagomedov: Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor & Football (Aug 12, 2026) · Listen from 2:41:34
PFT CommenterBarstool Sports writer and co-host of Pardon My Take
PFT Commenter argues the Messi–Ronaldo debate is the most one-sided in sports.
“There's never been a more clear winner of a sports debate”
Pardon My Take: World Cup With Roger Bennett, 2X National Champ Alex Karaban, Knicks Parade, Ronaldo vs Messi And Fyre Fest Of The Week (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 2:25:35
PFT Commenter argues Portugal's players cannot confront Ronaldo because they grew up idolizing him.
“And the tricky part is, like, everybody that's on that team with him grew up idolizing and worshiping Ronaldo”
Pardon My Take: World Cup With Roger Bennett, 2X National Champ Alex Karaban, Knicks Parade, Ronaldo vs Messi And Fyre Fest Of The Week (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 35:04
Tim ReamUSMNT veteran defender
Tim Ream says he is firmly in the Messi camp while respecting Ronaldo's accomplishments.
“If you're going to ask me what camp I'm in, I'm Camp Messi”
Pardon My Take: NBA Draft, Giannis To The Heat, Wyndham Clark, USMNT Team Captain Tim Ream + Mt Rushmore Of Hard To Spell Words (Jun 24, 2026) · Listen from 2:11:41
Roger BennettMen in Blazers co-host married to Kroll's sister Vanessa
Bennett argues Portugal could win the tournament but Ronaldo himself is the obstacle.
“But the thing that's stopping them winning it for Ronaldo is Ronaldo”
Pardon My Take: World Cup With Roger Bennett, 2X National Champ Alex Karaban, Knicks Parade, Ronaldo vs Messi And Fyre Fest Of The Week (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 1:03:00
Dan KatzBarstool Sports personality known as Big Cat, co-host of Pardon My Take
Dan Katz celebrates Messi's opening hat trick as proof doubters were wrong.
“Messi breaking out with a hat trick to start the World Cup was incredible”
Pardon My Take: World Cup With Roger Bennett, 2X National Champ Alex Karaban, Knicks Parade, Ronaldo vs Messi And Fyre Fest Of The Week (Jun 19, 2026) · Listen from 33:11
Coverage over time
Podcasts
- Pardon My Take · 2 episodes
- Lex Fridman Podcast · 1 episode
- The Bill Simmons Podcast · 1 episode
Episodes
#500 – Khabib Nurmagomedov: Dagestan, MMA, UFC, Islam, Conor, Fedor & FootballLex Fridman Podcast · Aug 12, 2026
Khabib Nurmagomedov tells Lex Fridman about Dagestan's fighting culture, his father's coaching, the Conor McGregor fight, Islam, and football.
NBA Draft, Giannis To The Heat, Wyndham Clark, USMNT Team Captain Tim Ream + Mt Rushmore Of Hard To Spell WordsPardon My Take · Jun 24, 2026 · 2 h 34 min
The Pardon My Take crew debates the NBA draft, Trae Young's contract and Giannis's trade to Miami, then interviews U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and USMNT captain Tim Ream.
NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup CeilingThe Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 19, 2026 · 2 h 11 min
Bill Simmons previews the 2026 NBA draft and Finals fallout with Tim Legler, then discusses the USMNT's World Cup outlook with Anthony Dabbundo.
World Cup With Roger Bennett, 2X National Champ Alex Karaban, Knicks Parade, Ronaldo vs Messi And Fyre Fest Of The WeekPardon My Take · Jun 19, 2026 · 2 h 32 min
Pardon My Take hosts recap the Knicks parade and Trae Young's opt-out, talk World Cup with Roger Bennett, and interview UConn champion Alex Karaban before the NBA draft.