Lionel Messi makes his feelings clear on whether the GOAT debate with Cristiano Ronaldo is settled

Lionel Messi has taken a refreshing view on the GOAT debate with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in a brand new interview.

Messi and Ronaldo have shared the stage for the best part of 15 years, winning a total of 13 Ballon d'Ors between them in one of the greatest rivalries in the history of sport.

They completely raised the bar for what it means to be the best players in the world with their ridiculous goalscoring outputs and record-breaking feats, bringing the best out of one another.

Though Ronaldo was ahead at one stage, Messi now has three more Ballon d'Ors as the two come to the end of their glittering careers and wind down outside of European football with Al Nassr and Inter Miami.

Although they were fiercely competitive in their prime years, there was always a feeling of mutual respect between the pair of footballing titans and Messi has retained that approach when discussing their rivalry and "golden era".

Lionel Messi gives his take on rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo

After an interviewer for France Football asked if the battle between them is over, Messi said: "It's always been a great battle in sporting terms. I think we've fed off each other with this rivalry because we're both great competitors. He too always wanted to win all the time.

"It was a golden era for us and for every football fan. We deserve a lot of credit for staying at the top for so long. Because, as they say, it's easy to get there but what's difficult is staying there.

"We stayed at the top for ten, fifteen years. It was a spectacular and remains a great memory for everyone."

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have 13 Ballon d'Ors between them. Image: Getty

Though he's always maintained he is the best and most complete player in history, Ronaldo has gone on record to say that the two have "always gotten along well" after a "healthy fight" to be the best.

Though both are still playing, the best years of their careers are in the past and retirement is surely not too far away for both legendary players.

However, one more meeting on the pitch could still be on the cards after reports claimed Ronaldo has a significant offer from a club in Brazil - which could open the door to an appearance in the Club World Cup.

Messi is in to represent 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield Inter Miami in the revamped 32-team tournament in the United States and they are in a group with Palmeiras, rumoured to be interested in a stunning deal for out-of-contract Ronaldo.

Messi's last game against Ronaldo was in the Riyadh Season Cup when Paris Saint-Germain played Al Nassr in January 2023.