One of the biggest debates in the world of soccer revolves around which of the two players is better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, the legendary Croatian player and current Inter Milan star, Luka Modric, does not favor either of them, but he does have a favorite. And it's another Argentine.

Modric passes on CR7 and Messi

Luka shone during his time at Real Madrid, where he remained from 2012 to 2025. He played in 591 games and scored 43 goals. He also shared the most successful stage of his career at the club with Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, he also had to face Barcelona's rising star, Lionel Messi, and has also faced him while defending his country's colors. The most recent was in the semifinal match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (3-0), in which Leo and Argentina were crowned champions.

With all this experience, one might think that when choosing the best player in history, he would lean towards one of these two players. However, the recognition did not go to either of them, but to one of Lionel's compatriots.

"Diego Maradona is the greatest. Messi and Diego are the greatest, but Diego is Diego," he said repeatedly, assuring that his greatest idol is the former Napoli star.

This is not the first time Luka has shown his fanaticism for the 1986 world champion. In a conversation with Spanish YouTuber The Real Yesus, the 39-year-old Croatian chose Diego Maradona in his top 5, along with Ronaldo Nazario, Francesco Totti, Zvonimir Boban, and Zinedine Zidane. And yes, he left Leo and CR7 out again.

On another occasion, he was visibly moved when he received a Maradona jersey during Euro 2024 from an ESPN reporter: "It's a pleasure. I'm so happy to have this jersey. Diego is the greatest. You've moved me with this," said Luka.

Meanwhile, Modric is preparing for his fifth World Cup. Croatia is in Group L alongside England, Ghana, and Panama and will play its first match on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, against England at Dallas Stadium.

However, as he pointed out in 2017 when he faced Napoli, he will not be playing against his GOAT: "Thank God Maradona isn't playing! We're happy about that," joked Luka, adding: "He's a great person and one of the best players of all time." Without a doubt, his passion knows no bounds.