Over 100 Israeli Premier League Players Choose Messi Over Ronaldo in Major Poll

A comprehensive survey conducted by Sport 5 asked 106 players from all 14 teams in the Israeli Premier League to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest footballer. The results showed a clear preference for Messi, with 69 players (65%) selecting him, while 38 players (35%) favored Ronaldo. This distribution closely mirrors general public opinion on the debate.

The poll included notable players from various clubs, revealing interesting patterns in preferences. For example, from Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Hamudi Kna'an and Abu Romi supported Ronaldo, while Amir Ganah and Itay Hazut backed Messi. At Beitar Jerusalem, most players, including Yarden Cohen and Yoni Ozer, chose Messi, with Miguel Silva and Junobusko Calu among the few favoring Ronaldo.

Similarly, in Maccabi Tel Aviv, the majority supported Messi, including Elad Madmon and Dor Peretz, while a smaller group like Osher Davida and Issouf Sisoko preferred Ronaldo. Other teams such as Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, and Maccabi Netanya showed a similar trend, with Messi receiving the majority of votes.

The survey highlights the ongoing debate about who is the greatest footballer, reflecting the opinions of those actively playing in Israel's top league. The results suggest that Messi maintains a significant lead in popularity among professional players in Israel, reinforcing his status in recent years as the preferred choice over Ronaldo.

The full list of player preferences was detailed, showing the diversity of opinions across teams and positions, including goalkeepers and outfield players. This poll offers a unique insight into the perspectives of Israeli footballers on one of the sport's most enduring rivalries.