Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Liverpool star Cody Gakpo picks better player in 'Winner stays on' video
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo while answering questions in a 'Winner stays on' video. The two footballing greats have been in a neck-and-neck battle for superiority for the best part of two decades, having raised the bar of the sport.
The Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi debate has raged on since the late 2000s when both players grew into the world's best at Manchester United and Barcelona, respectively. Many young players today grew up watching both greats write their legacies, and Netherlands star Gakpo is no exception.
Cody Gakpo was on GOAL's 'Winner stays on' segment, where he had to choose between a number of players. The Liverpool man named Messi as the player he wished to be as a youngster, and Ronaldo as the greatest finisher in the history of the game. He also named Vinicius Jr. as the present best player in the world. He then picked Johan Cruyff as the greatest Dutch player ever, and Thiago Alcantara as the best player he has ever played with.
The Dutchman named Jordan Teze as his best friend in football, Mario Balotelli as the best penalty taker, and Toni Kroos as the best passer in football history. GOAL pitted the players against each other until only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were left, and the forward chose Messi over Ronaldo.
Messi and Ronaldo are enjoying the twilight of their respective careers in the MLS and Saudi Pro League, respectively. The 37-year-old Argentinean is on the books of Inter Miami, while his 39-year-old Portuguese is with Al-Nassr.
Spain star names Lamine Yamal as the next in line to Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi
Spain captain Alvaro Morata has tipped teammate Lamine Yamal to be one of the best in history after his stellar start to life as a professional footballer. The 17-year-old Spain international won Euro 2024 alongside Morata, being named the Young Player of the Tournament. He capped off an excellent year by becoming the youngest recipient of the Kopa Trophy as the world's best U-21 played.
Morata spoke with The Athletic about Yamal, expressing confidence in the ability of the youngster to become one of the best players in Spanish football history. He named Yamal as a phenomenon, the like of whom appears every 20 to 30 years, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
He said (via Tribal Football):
"Every 20 or 30 years, one or two appear like Cristiano (Ronaldo) and Messi. In my opinion, he has what it takes to make history. I am convinced that if he does not become the greatest player in the history of Spain, he will definitely become one of them."
This season, Lamine Yamal has been in dazzling form for Barcelona, with five goals and seven assists to his name in 12 league appearances. The teenager recently became the youngest goalscorer in El Clasico history and is one of the finest talents in world football.