Erling Haaland settles Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate with retirement answer

Erling Haaland has settled the age-old Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate once and for all.

Over the years, both Ronaldo and Messi have been battling at the top of the game.

Many felt Messi became the undisputed GOAT when he claimed the World Cup in 2022.

However, fans of Ronaldo will always back the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen, Haaland appeared to make his choice. You can watch the footage below.

The Norwegian was asked: “Couldn’t have really gone any better for you in your first year here. And yet you missed out to Messi on the two big individual prizes.

“For you to actually win those, does he have to retire?”

Haaland replied: “I don’t know, good question.

“Yeah, it’s true he won it and he won the World Cup so I don’t know what to say. He is the best that has ever played I think so yeah, I don’t know.”

Haaland finished second to Messi in the race for the 2023 Ballon d’Or after a stunning debut season in English football.

The 23-year-old scored 52 goals across all competitions, including a record-breaking tally of 36 in the Premier League.

Although he missed out on the Ballon d’Or, Haaland did get his hands on the Gerd Muller Trophy, which is given to the top striker of the past European season for both club and country.

Getty

Speaking after winning the award, Haaland said: “It’s a huge honour to receive the Gerd Muller Trophy.

“I couldn’t have scored the number of goals I did last season without all of my teammates and this award is another reminder of the incredible year we all enjoyed together.”

This season, the Norwegian’s fine form continued as he leads the Premier League Golden Boot race having scored 18 goals.

However, the likes of Ollie Watkins(16) and Mohamed Salah(15) are hot on his heels.

City welcome Copenhagen to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night in the Champions League before their mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash with Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.