Piers Morgan’s ranking of four footballers he places above Lionel Messi

January 28, 2026 Oliver Obel

Lionel Messi is often described as the greatest footballer of the 21st century, a status reinforced by his eight Ballon d’Or awards and World Cup victory with Argentina in 2022. ESPN recently ranked him first on their list of the top players of the century, reflecting a widely held view across the sport. However, Piers Morgan has publicly challenged that consensus, arguing that four players have surpassed Messi’s overall impact.

Ronaldinho

Morgan places Ronaldinho just ahead of Messi, pointing to the Brazilian’s unique ability to bring joy to the game. At his peak with Barcelona, Ronaldinho played with a freedom and creativity that thrilled fans around the world.

Beyond statistics, his influence was emotional as well as technical. His standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2005 remains one of the most iconic moments of the modern era, highlighting the respect he commanded even from rival supporters.

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry ranks third in Morgan’s list, largely due to his consistency and intelligence as a forward. During his prime at Arsenal, Henry was one of the most complete attackers in football, blending pace with precision.

His record of 360 goals and 168 assists in 794 appearances underlines his long-term impact. Henry’s 2002/03 Premier League season, in which he registered 44 goal involvements, is still regarded as one of the finest individual campaigns in English football.

Ronaldo Nazário

Ronaldo Nazário is placed second despite a career heavily affected by serious injuries. At his best, the Brazilian was virtually unstoppable, combining explosive speed with close control and lethal finishing.

Although injuries limited his time at the top, his influence on the game was immense. Morgan believes the level Ronaldo reached at his peak is enough to rank him above most of his contemporaries.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo 2017 — CRImage / Shutterstock.com

Cristiano Ronaldo tops Morgan’s list as the greatest player of the 21st century. From his breakthrough at Manchester United to his record-setting years at Real Madrid, Ronaldo has delivered consistently across leagues and competitions.

His goalscoring numbers, physical longevity, and relentless mentality form the basis of Morgan’s argument. Even in the later stages of his career, now playing for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo continues to shape debates about footballing greatness.