Lionel Messi is the first name that comes to mind for several top players in European soccer when talking about the Champions League, despite the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has won more titles and scored more goals in the competition.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d'Or awards but an alternative list of winners has emerged.

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold quite easily decided in favor of Lionel Messi when he was asked to pick between the Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has insisted that he will always pick Lionel Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi holds the record for the most El Clasico goals with 26, while Cristiano Ronaldo is tied for second with Alfredo Di Stefano at 18. The Messi and Ronaldo era in El Clasico is over, leaving fans excited about potential future player rivalries, with Lamine Yamal versus Kylian Mbappe a possibility.

When asked which player first comes to mind when thinking of the Champions League, top football stars like Erling Haaland, Virgil van Dijk, and Kevin De Bruyne all had the same answer — Cristiano Ronaldo.

Several football stars, including Erling Haaland and Virgil van Dijk, named Cristiano Ronaldo when asked a Champions League question.