Cole Palmer, who is set to become one of the best footballers on the planet, has joined the ongoing debate about the preference between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, making it clear that he wanted to emulate the Argentine as a child.

The 22-year-old English star spoke to Goal in an interview where he was asked "the million-dollar question" about who the best player is, a question he answered without hesitation, clearly stating his preference.

“I wanted to be Lionel Messi when I was a kid," he revealed before answering the question. “Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? For me, Lionel Messi.”

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are regarded as the best footballers of all time, with the two having won 13 Ballon d'Or awards between them in the last 15 years.

Cole Palmer Named Premier League Player of the Month

Cole Palmer has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for September, following an outstanding month in which Chelsea won three of their four league matches, reaching fourth place in the table and sitting just four points behind leaders Liverpool, whom they will face next Sunday.

One of Palmer's standout moments came in the 4-2 victory over Brighton, where he became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals before halftime. Additionally, Palmer joined Frank Lampard as the only other Chelsea player to score four goals in two different Premier League matches, a feat Lampard achieved in 2008 and 2010.

The England international also leads the league in direct goal contributions this season, with 11 (six goals and five assists), and has created 23 goal-scoring opportunities, a figure surpassed only by Bukayo Saka, who has created 27.

Palmer has now won two of the last three Premier League Player of the Month awards, and only Lampard, with four, has won this honor for Chelsea more times than the young 22-year-old.

This recognition highlights Palmer's immediate and consistent impact at Chelsea, establishing him as a key figure in the team's resurgence in the league.