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

A large-scale survey conducted by Sports Channel 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.

The poll included goalkeepers and key players from each team, revealing interesting patterns in their choices. Notable Messi supporters include Amir Ganaach (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Elad Madmon and Dor Peretz (Maccabi Tel Aviv), and Iyad Halaili (Maccabi Haifa). Ronaldo received backing from players such as Hamoudi Kana'an (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Miguel Silva (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), and Maxim Plakushchenko (Hapoel Ramat Gan).

The survey highlights the ongoing debate about who is the greatest footballer of the modern era, a discussion that has persisted for 15 to 20 years. Despite Ronaldo's strong following, Messi currently holds the advantage among Israeli Premier League players. The poll results provide insight into the preferences of professional players who regularly compete on the field.

This comprehensive poll by Sports Channel offers a unique perspective on the Messi versus Ronaldo debate from within Israeli professional football, reflecting both individual and team-level preferences across the league.