Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? When Premier League legend Alan Shearer picked between the GOATs
Premier League legend Alan Shearer once made his pick in the eternal GOAT debate between Argentine maestro Lionel Messi and Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Newcastle United marksman labelled both the players 'geniuses', but ended up siding with the 2022 FIFA World Cup champion.
For the better part of a decade and a half, Ronaldo and Messi battled it out at the summit of football, setting unbelievable records along the way. The former put up videogame-like numbers at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus while the latter delivered masterclasses at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
They dominated the Ballon d'Or from 2008 to 2017, winning five each in those 10 years. While the Portuguese sharpshooter couldn't lift any more after his triumph in 2017, the Argentine legend went on to add three more (2019, 2021, 2023) to his collection.
Messi and Ronaldo currently ply their trade with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami and Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr respectively. Overall, the former has bagged a whopping 849 goals and 378 assists in 1,079 appearances, while the latter has an eye-watering 907 goals and 255 assists in 1,246 appearances across all competitions (stats via messivsronaldo.app).
When Shearer was asked to choose between the two legendary rivals in a Sportskeeda interview in 2018, he said:
"Do I have to pick? We are very fortunate to live in a time with two incredible players! They are both geniuses, but (for me it's) Messi."
Ronaldo's Al-Nassr currently sit third in the SPL, six points behind leaders Al-Hilal. Meanwhile, Messi's Inter Miami have qualified for the MLS playoffs, and won the first game of their first playoff round against Atlanta United 2-1 on October 25.
"They are bonkers" - When Alan Shearer made claim about the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Former England forward Alan Shearer once claimed that footballing superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were 'bonkers' for taking 'goalscoring to a different level'.
Speaking on the BBC MOTD podcast alongside his compatriots Gary Lineker and Ian Wright in 2020, the 54-year-old called both the players incredible in their own right. However, he sided with the 37-year-old Argentine as the better player in terms of pure skill.
Shearer said (via The Sun):
"These two have taken goalscoring to a different level. They are bonkers. Ronaldo has made himself as good as he is in terms of how dedicated he has been and how he has worked hard. I think it's been more natural for Messi in terms of skill-wise. They both are just staggering."
Up next, Messi will be seen in action in Game 2 of Inter Miami's first round MLS playoff matchup against Atlanta United (November 2). Ronaldo's next game will be in the Round of 16 of the King's Cup of Champions against Al-Taawoun (October 29).