Trent Alexander-Arnold settled the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate with controversial answer

Trent Alexander-Arnold has already made his feelings clear on the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, has been the subject of mass media and fan attention in recent weeks and finally announced on Sunday (May 4) that he will not be renewing his contract at his boyhood club Liverpool with his current deal set to expire at the end of June 2025.

Real Madrid seems his likely destination with The Athletic reporting on Monday (May 5) that “Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent, with sources in Spain” suggesting that a “six-year agreement” is close to being finalised.

In a statement, the 26-year-old cited how taking himself out of his “comfort zone” was part of the reason for his departure from the Premier League champions.

The likes of Eden Hazard, Steven McManaman, Gareth Bale and Michael Owen have all traded life in England for a new challenge in the Spanish capital over the past three decades - although the most high-profile switch was Ronaldo’s 2009 transfer from Manchester United to Los Blancos.

And despite Alexander-Arnold seeming likely to follow in Ronaldo’s footsteps from the Premier League to La Liga, he admitted that “Messi is the best player of all time” during an interview with Oh My Goal in 2019.

In another interview with the Mirror back in 2024, Alexander-Arnold doubled down on his choice, he explained: “It has to be Messi for me, the best player I've played, for me the best player that's ever played the game."

The right-back added: “I never watched [Diego] Maradona, so I don't know... to imagine anyone better than what I've been able to see... my brain doesn't comprehend it, there's no way anyone can be better."

Trent Alexander-Arnold defends against Cristiano Ronaldo (Credit:Getty)

He continued: "There's just a different feeling playing against him than I've ever felt with anyone else.

"You're always on red alert when the ball's near him, I think it's very rare for a player to have that kind of feeling, to put that feeling into other players. So for that reason, I have to say him.

"For me, I think in many, many aspects of the game, he's probably the best at any given moment. He can almost do what he wants on a football pitch, so yeah, for that reason, he's the best."

Trent Alexander-Arnold on Cristiano Ronaldo

Despite admitting that Messi is the greatest of all time, Alexander-Arnold still has a huge amount of respect for Ronaldo, and so he should given the fact that the Portuguese is Real's highest-ever goalscorer and greatest player.

"With Ronaldo being one of the greats, probably one of the best players ever, it’s going to be an honour to hopefully play against him," Alexander-Arnold said ahead of the 2018 Champions League final, which Liverpool lost 3-1 against Madrid.

"You have to admit he’s [Cristiano Ronaldo] an unbelievable player and he’s done exceptional things in the game," he added. "The numbers that he does season in, season out are absolutely unbelievable.

“I know a lot about him and the likes of Messi because I watched them on YouTube growing up. You always watch those type of players. But you’ve just got to focus on the game and, if he’s a direct opponent, you have to see what the strengths and weaknesses are and use them to your advantage."