Peter Crouch's controversial opinion on Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate

It's an age old debate which will probably rumble on until the end of time - who is better out of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?

The pair are some of - if not the - greatest players to have ever graced the game and both are now coming to the closing stages of their careers on the pitch.

Ronaldo is now playing in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr after trophy-laden spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, plus a glittering international career with Portugal.

Messi meanwhile has recently switched to the MLS this summer to play for Inter Miami, departing Paris Saint Germain after more than a decade at Barcelona and recently won the World Cup with Argentina.

Both have scored more than 800 senior professional goals in their careers and both players are unquestionably legends of the game - and either one could probably justifiably be labelled as the greatest of all time.

Former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City striker Peter Crouch has now waded into the age-old debate and given his view on the topic.

Speaking on an edition of his own That Peter Crouch Podcast, the former England striker has made it clear which player he deems to be the better one.

Crouch has played against Ronaldo during the duo's time in the Premier League in the 2000s - but despite rubbing shoulders on the pitch with the Portuguese, the retired striker seems to be firmly in the Messi camp.

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And he gave a controversial view that those who pick Ronaldo over Messi in this debate "don't know football very well".

Crouch said: "I don't know if I should say this or not. I feel if you say Ronaldo, you don't know football very well."

Chris Stark, a co-host on the podcast, responded: "That's an absolutely extraordinary thing to say. That is insulting to a lot of people!"

But Crouch replied: "I think Ronaldo is incredible - incredible - but I do look a little bit down on you if you say Ronaldo."

At least you know that if you do manage to have a chat with Crouchy on the topic, you know where you stand.