Former Inter Miami winger Brek Shea has delivered a striking assessment of football's two modern legends, suggesting Cristiano Ronaldo would have made a more significant splash in Major League Soccer than his great rival Lionel Messi.
The Diverging Paths of Two Legends
Since departing the European stage, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have charted distinctly different courses. Messi, now 38, joined Inter Miami in the United States, while Ronaldo, 40, opted for a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in late 2022.
Their post-Europe careers have yielded success. Messi secured the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2024 and followed it with the MLS Cup triumph in early December 2025, cementing his legacy in North America. Meanwhile, Ronaldo continues to find the net regularly in the Saudi Pro League, scoring twice in a recent 3-0 win over Al Okhdood.
Shea's Verdict: Personality Over Pedigree
Brek Shea, who played for Inter Miami before Messi's arrival, believes the Portuguese icon's character would have resonated more powerfully with the American public. Speaking to Jackpot City Casino, via Marca, Shea offered a frank comparison.
"I think Cristiano Ronaldo would have had a bigger impact on MLS than Lionel Messi," Shea stated. "No disrespect to Messi, but Messi seems like a homebody. He's very quiet. He still doesn't speak the language well."
Shea emphasised that his analysis was focused purely on off-field influence. "I'm talking strictly about things off the field," he clarified. "I just think Ronaldo seems more outgoing, he does more things in the public eye. So I think just for that reason, speaking the language, giving interviews, I think he would have automatically had a bigger impact."
Contrasting Futures and World Cup Doubts
The two superstars also face different questions regarding their international futures. While Ronaldo appears set to lead Portugal at the 2026 World Cup in North America, Messi has cast doubt on his participation with Argentina.
In September, the Inter Miami forward admitted, "Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won't make it." He added that he takes his career "day by day" and must feel good to enjoy playing.
On the club front, Messi's achievements are quantifiable. He has scored 77 goals in all competitions for Inter Miami, with 50 coming in regular-season MLS matches. He was the league's top scorer last term with 29 goals and provided a league-leading nine assists in the playoffs this season.
Despite the retirement of key teammates like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi has renewed his contract with the Florida club, underscoring his commitment to the MLS project—a project where, according to Brek Shea, a different global icon might have made an even louder noise.
