Nigerian football legend, Moses Akuhwa Kpakor, has stepped into the ongoing debate about who truly deserves the title of Greatest of All Time (GOAT) between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He firmly believes that Ronaldo’s standout qualities make him the rightful owner of that title.
Kpakor kicked off his football journey as a defensive midfielder with local club Hawks before making his mark in the Nigerian Premier League with teams like Electricity FC, BCC Lions FC, and Abiola Babes over an impressive 18-year career. He clinched the Nigerian FA Cup twice (first with Abiola Babes in 1987 and then with BCC Lions in 1989) and also lifted the African Cup Winners’ Cup with BCC Lions in 1990. On the international stage, he represented Nigeria multiple times, including a crucial 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier and every match at the 1990 African Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up.
In a passionate message aimed at Messi supporters, Kpakor challenged them to consider why so many people connected to Ronaldo (be it coaches, teammates, or even rivals) consistently highlight his extraordinary traits.
The former Nigerian international pointed out that Ronaldo is celebrated for his incredible work ethic, discipline, insatiable goal-scoring drive, winning mentality, fearless confidence, and impressive versatility on the field.
Kpakor emphasised that these qualities are the very essence of greatness in any arena. He argued that if we don’t recognise these traits as fundamental to success, it becomes hard to understand what true greatness really means.
Reflecting on his own successful career, Kpakor noted that his achievements were built on the same principles.
He fondly remembered clinching five Federation Cup titles out of six finals, lifting the ECOWAS Cup in 1990, and finishing both as the winner and runner-up in Africa’s Confederation Cup in 1990 and 1991, respectively. He also proudly claimed a silver medal in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1990, snagged the Nigeria Premier Football League title in 1994, and triumphed in the Nigerian Super Cup three times in 1990, 1994, and 1995.
Kpakor didn’t stop there. He also pointed out his individual accolades, which include the NPFL Player of the Month award and Goal of the Month honors in April 1990 and February 1994, emphasising that these achievements were the result of hard work, discipline, and an unwavering drive to succeed.
His comments add yet another significant Nigerian perspective to the ongoing Ronaldo-Messi debate, with Kpakor firmly believing that Ronaldo’s work ethic, mentality, and consistency make the strongest case for being the greatest football player of all time.
