Key Highlights
- Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he does not believe Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time.
- Ronaldo revealed his opinion during an interview with Piers Morgan, stating that Messi better than him? “I don’t agree with that opinion.”
- Wayne Rooney previously stated his preference for Messi but clarified that it doesn’t mean he has a bad opinion of Ronaldo.
- Ronaldo continues to perform at Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, scoring goals and seeking titles despite being 40 years old.
The GOAT Debate: Ronaldo vs Messi
Long-standing football rivalries have reached a new dimension as Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese star of Al-Nassr FC, has sparked controversy by stating that Lionel Messi is not the greatest of all time. The debate over who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) between these two football legends has been at the forefront of sports discussions for years.
The conversation gained momentum during a recent interview with Piers Morgan on his show, where Ronaldo candidly expressed his disagreement with the common narrative that Messi surpasses him. His statement, “Messi better than me?
I don’t agree with that opinion. I don’t want to be humble,” underscores the deep-rooted competitiveness between the two players who have dominated football for decades.
Rooney’s Clarification
The controversy extended beyond Ronaldo as his former teammate, Wayne Rooney, was also involved in the discussion. In 2015, Rooney had publicly stated his preference for Messi over Ronaldo during an interview with Rio Ferdinand. However, this time, Rooney clarified that his comments were not meant to diminish Ronaldo’s legacy but rather reflect his personal opinion on playing style and effectiveness.
Rooney expressed his admiration for both players, stating: “People think I hate him!
I love him! I think he’s an absolute genius; what he’s doing is incredible. I don’t think people realize how close he and I were.” Rooney further elaborated that Ronaldo has been unlucky in not winning more awards during his career compared to Messi.
Current Performances
The interview comes at a time when both Ronaldo and Messi are approaching the twilight of their careers. While Ronaldo continues to prove his worth with nine goals in 10 appearances for Al-Nassr FC, Messi is making waves in Major League Soccer under David Beckham’s watchful eye.
Ronaldo’s performance with Al-Nassr has been commendable, leading them at the top of the Saudi Pro League. He seeks to win silverware with the club and possibly cement his legacy as a GOAT despite the controversy surrounding his views on Messi.
Future Implications
The debate over who is the greatest of all time in football shows no signs of abating, especially given the performances of both players in their twilight years. The coming seasons may well offer more insights into this enduring rivalry and determine which player fans will look back on as the GOAT.
