How fake Ballond’Or quotes of Zinedine Zidane reignited the Ronaldo-Messi GOAT debate
By Luke Oluoch, September 12, 2026A nonexistent statement attributed to the new France coach Zinedine Zidane has left football fans reigniting the eternal debate over who is the true Football’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT) between Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine maestro Lionel Messi.
The two football icons have dominated the football talk and debate for over a decade now have won a total of 13 Ballon d’Or awards. Messi leads the haul with eight, while the Al Nassr star has claimed five accolades.
According to the fabricated interview, the Real Madrid legend supposedly voiced his support for Messi to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, stating that the Argentine “does not belong in football society” before adding that he would vote for Messi 100 times.
The AI-generated hoax caught several unsuspecting media houses off guard, leading them to publish the remarks as verified sentiments from the French icon.
With the Ronaldo fanbase taken aback—especially given Zidane’s past praise for his former Real Madrid player—fans and outlets quickly scrambled to unearth Zidane’s actual, historical sentiments on the GOAT debate.
The social media storm coincides with the release of the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist, which sees Lionel Messi earn his historic 17th nomination.
2026 Ballon d’Or
The 39-year-old Argentine, though not the clear favorite, could potentially land a record-extending ninth individual trophy. However, he faces a stiff challenge from elite European forwards who equally starred at the 2026 World Cup, including Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Vinícius Júnior, among others.
Barcelona is heavily represented on the shortlist with four players nominated, including Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Pau Cubarsí.
The winner of the 2026 edition will be unveiled in England on October 26, 2026. The event will be staged at the London Palladium, as organisers celebrate the award’s 70th anniversary and honour the legacy of Sir Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d’Or winner in 1956.