Champions League legend who played with Messi and Ronaldo backtracks on greatest of all time answer

A Champions League icon who has played alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has seemingly changed his mind in the debate about the greatest footballer of all time.

Messi and Ronaldo are widely regarded as two of the best footballers ever, boasting a combined 13 Ballon d'Or wins and nine UEFA Champions League.

Deco is one of a select few players to have played with both legends. Previously, Deco named Ronaldinho as the 'best' player he had ever played with.

"From the outset, it is clear that Leo and Cristiano are the greatest," Deco previously said.

"Especially because no-one thought they could take so many years to this level, but the one that impressed me most despite not being so decisive was Ronaldinho. For me, he will always be the best.

"The moments I lived with him are difficult to compare to anything. He was magical."

But it appears that Deco has changed his opinion. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day about rising star Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's sporting director couldn't have been clearer in who takes the spot as football's GOAT.

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi. Credit:Rich Storry / Stringer via Getty Images

The former Chelsea midfielder said: "Lamine is Lamine.

"Leo is Leo. Leo was the best player in the history of this club and for me, the best player in history."

When did Deco play alongside Messi?

Deco spent four years at Barcelona between 2004 and 2008, with Messi making his first-team debut in October 2004.

In 2006, the Catalan giants won the UEFA Champions League, defeating Arsenal 2-1 in the final. Deco's standout performances in that campaign saw him recognised as UEFA's Best Midfielder.

But Messi did not nail down a regular starting spot until the 2006/07 season, when he scored 17 goals in all competitions.

It meant Deco's stint at Barcelona coincided with the early stages of Messi's rise at the club.

Deco left at the end of the 2007/08 season for €10 million (£8 million) to join Chelsea.

Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images

What about Deco and Ronaldo?

His games alongside Ronaldo came at international level. Although Deco was born in Brazil, he played his club football for Portuguese teams between 1997 and 2004.

As a result, he met the requirement for Portuguese citizenship as he had lived in the country for six years, which enabled him to represent the national team.

Both Ronaldo and Deco made their Portugal debuts in 2003, continuing to play alongside each other until the latter retired from international football following the 2010 World Cup.

During that time, the pair played together at four major tournaments: Euro 2004, the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.