Lionel Messi turned down offer to join CBS Sports show 'because of Jamie Carragher'

Lionel Messi rejected an offer to join CBS Sports' coverage because of Jamie Carragher - but the Liverpool legend still believes he is the greatest player of all time.

The age-old debate involving Messi and long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo popped up again on the latest CBS 'Golazo' show, with Carragher absolutely adamant that the Argentina and Barcelona legend is clear.

Host Kate Abdo asked if the debate is finally over after Messi won an eighth Ballon d'Or to move three.

But Liverpool legend Carragher was not having it whatsoever. In his eyes, Messi was always ahead and it's "not even close".

He stated: “It was never a debate! [Cristiano] Ronaldo was nowhere near the level of [Lionel] Messi. Ronaldo was one of the greatest goalscorers of all time, Messi is the greatest history of all time. It’s not even close. Just because Ronaldo scored goals, Messi scored goals and was an unbelievable player. I don’t even think it’s close.”

Image: Getty

Carragher has absolutely no affiliation to either players, in fact he has reason to dislike the pair of footballing titans.

Ronaldo blanked him at Old Trafford when he was doing punditry, while Messi once messaged to call him a "burro", which donkey" after he said he wasn't a "great signing" for Paris Saint-Germain.

Carragher added: “That shows I’ve got no bias. He still calls me a donkey, and I’m going for Messi.”

Image: Getty

The broadcast on Wednesday night emanated from Miami and Abdo proceeded to reveal that they asked for Messi to come on their programme.

However, he is said to have declined the proposal - with Carragher cited as the reason.

Abdo claimed: “You know that we made an official invitation, extended one to Inter Miami and asked him [Messi] to come on the show, and you know what the official response was from Inter Miami? Apparently, Lionel Messi will not be doing any television show that Jamie Carragher is a part of.”

Carragher didn't take the pieing personally, seeing the funny side and saying that Messi would not bring the energy to CBS that he does.

Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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