Topics: Roy Keane, Ian Wright, Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
Roy Keane and Ian Wright named an iconic sportsperson as the GOAT of all sports but snubbed the likes of Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Keane, 53, and Wright, 61, were discussing who they believe to be the greatest sportsperson ever on the latest episode of the Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet.
And given the fact the pair are former footballers, you may have expected them to choose someone from the sport they are most familiar with. But they opted for a legend of another sport and a cultural icon.
Jill Scott joined the duo and Gary Neville, revealing that she felt tennis player Serena Williams was the greatest-ever sports woman.
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“Serena Williams – I love the consistency of being able to keep doing it [playing at the highest level],” said Scott.
Meanwhile, Wright revealed that he thinks former heavyweight boxer Muhammed Ali - formerly Cassius Clay Jr - was the greatest-ever sportsperson, citing the American as a huge “influence” on his career.
“The one who has had the biggest influence on myself and the time he was at his best is Muhammad Ali," said Wright. "He’s magnificent because of what he did outside of the ring.
“He was heavily criticised for not going to Vietnam – he didn’t want to go. He said, ‘Why am I going to kill in Vietnam, my enemies are here in America.’
"He stood by that, and you can imagine what he went through.
“He did the shortest-ever poem; ‘Me, We.’"
Keane agreed and referenced his “battles” in America.
“His beliefs and his battles in America – they were huge,” said Keane. “It will be hard to argue with that [Ian Wright choosing Ali as the greatest sports person].”
Ali, who passed away in June 2016, refused to serve in the US military during the height of the Vietnam War in 1967.
"I refuse to be inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States because I claim to be exempt as a minister of the religion of Islam,” Ali said, according to Fox.
As a result, Ali was fined $10,000, banned from boxing for three years and sentenced to five years behind bars – although he never served a day in prison.
He appeared before the Supreme Court, and his conviction was overturned in June 1971.
