Akhtar’s praise for Ronaldo was emphatic. He is quoted as saying: “There has never been a bigger brand in football than Cristiano Ronaldo. Take it or leave it.”
That argument is difficult to dismiss. Ronaldo’s image, intensity and global appeal have made him one of the defining sports personalities of his generation. Akhtar reportedly went further, describing him as “probably the biggest brand has ever enjoyed”.
Yet the point of the intervention was not to diminish Ronaldo. It was to separate celebrity power from footballing judgment.
For Akhtar, Messi operates in a different category. “Messi is the biggest… yes, he's on another level,” he is quoted as saying.
His reasoning focused on Messi’s ability to control the rhythm of a match, absorb pressure and influence play even when he appears to be moving quietly through the game. “He gets knocked down, gets back up, and keeps going,” Akhtar reportedly added.
That image of Messi as a player who studies the game before deciding it has long shaped his reputation. Ronaldo represents relentless drive and physical excellence; Messi is often viewed as a footballer who bends the match around his decisions.
Akhtar’s comments also highlight why the Messi-Ronaldo argument remains so powerful. Supporters are rarely comparing like for like. They are choosing between contrasting visions of greatness: one built on force and reinvention, the other on control and imagination.
As the World Cup conversation moves on, the next chapter of the debate will be shaped less by verdicts and more by how future generations define footballing brilliance.