"There is no doubt" - When Gary Neville made his pick between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville once chose his former Red Devils teammate Cristiano Ronaldo over Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
In 2021, when Ronaldo returned to Premier League after a decade, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate in football sparked again. Providing his verdict in the debate, former English footballer Gary Neville backed the Portuguese forward in an episode of Monday Night Football in September 2021.
Neville was asked which player from the history of football would he choose to win him a game and he outright took the name of Cristiano Ronaldo. He also lauded the Portuguese forward for his on-field prowess and ability to score via set pieces. Neville said (via Sky Sports):
"It would be Cristiano Ronaldo. I looked at his goal breakdown. He can score with his left foot, his wrong foot. He can score with his right foot. He can score from distance. He is probably the best poacher now in world football."
He added:
"He can score penalties. And if you stick him in the box and hang it up there he will go and score with a header. He might even score with a free-kick. So if you think about who is the greatest player of all time, I do think he is the greatest football player who has ever lived."
However, he also talked about Lionel Messi after he dubbed Ronaldo as the greatest.
"There is no doubt that Messi has scored an obscene amount of goals, he is a ridiculous player," added Neville.
Ronaldo later left Manchester United in 2022 after his contract was mutually terminated. He joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and he currently plays for MLS side Inter Miami.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah chooses between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah once chose former Barcelona star Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate, as per Barca Worldwide (via X).
Earlier this year in March, Mohamed Salah was asked about his pick between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. As soon as the question was asked, the Egyptian captain outright took the name of Messi. He said:
"Messi, it's not a debate anymore."
Since joining Major League Soccer side Inter Miami last summer, Lionel Messi has won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters' Shield Trophy with the Herons. Additionally, Inter Miami are also at the first spot in Eastern Conference of the MLS with 71 points in 33 matches.