Who is No.1? Amir Khan says Messi vs Ronaldo fight would be epic but unlikely

‎The greatest rivalry in modern football history might never make it to the boxing ring, but the idea of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo squaring off under the lights has intrigued even the sport’s biggest names—including former world boxing champion Amir Khan.

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‎Amir Khan calls a hypothetical Messi vs Ronaldo boxing match “a great fight” but unlikely to happen.

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‎Khan, speaking to Instant Casino, was quick to praise the longevity and legacy of both global icons, suggesting their competitive fire would translate well inside the ropes. “That would be a great fight,” Khan said. “I’d buy a ticket for that. We don’t know who the number one is. I like both—Ronaldo’s a great ambassador, so is Messi.”

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‎The fantasy bout between the two footballing GOATs may ignite imaginations, but Khan conceded that a real fight is improbable. “With the kind of money those guys are on, I don’t think they’d ever actually fight. They don’t need to,” he added.

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‎Messi and Ronaldo have been battling for supremacy on the pitch for nearly two decades, amassing 13 Ballon d’Or awards between them and a staggering collection of team and individual honors. Yet, despite their overlapping eras, fans have never seen them join forces on the same club side in a competitive match—and now likely never will.

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‎While Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is a familiar face at major fight nights in the Middle East, Messi has had his name mentioned in the combat sports world too. YouTube star and WWE personality Logan Paul once challenged the Inter Miami star to a fight—though it’s Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, who quickly shut that down by offering himself in Messi’s place.

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‎Khan also weighed in on Messi’s frequent interactions with pitch invaders during appearances for both his MLS club and the Argentine national team. “Honestly, just run,” Khan advised. “He’s got so much to lose and give—don’t even try to fight back. He’s on such a huge wage, it’s not worth the risk. I get why they moved his bodyguard away, but really fans just want to touch him, hug him—they’re not trying to hurt him.”

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‎Both Messi and Ronaldo are expected to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, potentially offering fans one final chapter in their iconic rivalry. Ronaldo, now 40, and Messi, approaching his 38th birthday in June, are inching closer to retirement, making each appearance on the pitch feel increasingly like the closing act of a once-in-a-lifetime sporting saga.