Magic Johnson Praises Messi and Ronaldo After Lionel Reaches 900th Goal

NBA legend shares memorable experience watching the soccer superstars compete in Spain

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:03am

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NBA legend Magic Johnson expressed his admiration for soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing that one of the greatest moments of his life was watching the two compete live in Spain. Johnson also congratulated Messi on reaching his 900th career goal while playing for Inter Miami.

Why it matters

Messi and Ronaldo are widely considered two of the greatest soccer players of all time, and their rivalry has captivated fans around the world. Johnson's praise for the two superstars highlights their enduring impact on the sport and the global appeal of their matchups.

The details

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Magic Johnson shared his experience of traveling to Spain to watch Messi and Ronaldo compete in an El Clásico match between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Johnson called it 'one of the greatest moments' of his life to witness the two legends at the peak of their careers. After Messi reached his 900th career goal playing for Inter Miami, Johnson took to social media to congratulate the Argentine star, recognizing his historic achievement.

  • In 2015, Magic Johnson compared his rivalry with Larry Bird to that of Messi and Ronaldo.
  • In 2016, there were rumors that Johnson wanted to bring Messi and Ronaldo together at LAFC, the MLS club he co-owns.
  • Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
  • Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia in 2022 after leaving Manchester United.

The players

Lionel Messi

An Argentine soccer player who currently plays for Inter Miami in MLS and is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, having scored 900 career goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A Portuguese soccer player who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and is also widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, having scored over 800 career goals.

Magic Johnson

A former NBA player and current co-owner of LAFC, who is a devoted fan of soccer and has expressed his admiration for Messi and Ronaldo.

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What they’re saying

“One of the greatest moments in my life was being able to fly to Madrid and watch Lionel Messi play against Cristiano Ronaldo live. It's a privilege to be able to witness two superstars at the top of their game compete!”

— Magic Johnson

“What an unbelievable feat! Soccer great Lionel Messi has scored his 900th goal, joining Cristiano Ronaldo as the only two players to accomplish this incredible milestone.”

— Magic Johnson

The takeaway

Magic Johnson's praise for Messi and Ronaldo highlights the enduring global appeal and impact of these two soccer legends, whose rivalry and achievements have captivated fans around the world. Johnson's personal experience of witnessing their matchup in Spain underscores the privilege of seeing these superstars compete at the highest level.