• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Lionel Messi 'already settled' GOAT debate with Cristiano Ronaldo even without winning World Cup

Home> Football

Published 10:36 18 Dec 2022 GMT

Lionel Messi 'already settled' GOAT debate with Cristiano Ronaldo even without winning World Cup

Paul Merson admitted that he was once "split down the middle," but Lionel Messi is now his outright GOAT pick ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has “already settled” the GOAT debate involving Cristiano Ronaldo even if he doesn’t win the World Cup, according to Paul Merson.

Messi, who is competing at his final World Cup, is on the verge of capturing the one international trophy that has alluded him in his illustrious playing career.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been in dazzling form in Qatar and played an instrumental role in leading Argentina to the World Cup final.

Advert

Messi has scored five times and registered three assists for Argentina at the Qatar World Cup, with Lionel Scaloni’s men bouncing back from a shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is tied with club teammate Kylian Mbappe, who he faces on Sunday in the final, in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, fell short of leading Portugal to the World Cup title and may have played for the last time in FIFA’s prestigious tournament.

Advert

The 37-year-old Portuguese forward was dropped to the bench in the World Cup knockout stages by Fernando Santos, who has since stepped down as Portugal head coach.

Ronaldo broke down in tears after Portugal were dumped out of the World Cup in a sensational 1-0 defeat to 10-men Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Merson admitted that he was once “split down the middle” when it came to the long-running GOAT debate between Ronaldo and Messi.

Arsenal hero Paul Merson believes Lionel Messi has "already settled" the GOAT debate involving Cristiano Ronaldo.
Alamy

Advert

However, the Arsenal hero insisted that Messi and legendary Argentine Diego Maradona both “possess the most natural talent I have ever seen in my entire life.”

Speaking in his column for The Daily Star, Merson wrote: “For me, Messi has already settled the Cristiano Ronaldo debate.

“I used to be split down the middle but Messi and Maradona possess the most natural talent I have ever seen in my entire life. They were born with it.

“If Messi wasn’t, the coach who taught him in Argentina at six years old is the best coach in history.

Advert

“Ronaldo has had to work so hard to get where he is but Messi is just a complete and utter freak of nature. Yet still, he has taken his natural talent to the limit over the course of his career.

READ MORE:

  • Drake backs Argentina to win World Cup, fans think he’s ‘cursed’ Lionel Messi
  • Kylian Mbappe has ‘issue’ with PSG teammate Lionel Messi ahead of World Cup final clash
  • Lionel Messi finally has roommate ahead of the World Cup final

“I thought France would win the World Cup but after watching them against England and Morocco, they’re not that good at all.

Advert

“They've got Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, that’s the difference. I couldn't believe how bad they were against Morocco which was a major kick in the teeth for England.”

Copa America champions Argentina will clash with defending World Cup title holders France at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off slated for 3pm UK time.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Paul Merson, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Football

Adnan Riaz
Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

X

@AdnanRiaz9

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
10 hours ago
13 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Evangelos Marinakis' immediate reaction to Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga emerges as Nottingham Forest consider legal action

    Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is unhappy with Tottenham's pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    FIFA has banned five football kits for life that you'll never see again

    Club World Cup finalists Chelsea and PSG have been hit by FIFA’s ban on sleeve advertising rule

    Football
  • 13 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the next Florian Wirtz for Real Madrid without spending anything

    The new Real Madrid boss may have uncovered a gem in the squad who could be the next Florian Wirtz.

    Football
  • 14 hours ago

    Chelsea set their asking price for Nicolas Jackson as shock club register interest and it looks like a typo

    Enzo Maresca has named his price to sell Nicolas Jackson this summer, amid links to a European giant.

    Football
  • Cristiano Ronaldo's honest view on whether Lionel Messi has finally settled the GOAT debate
  • Marca rank the six greatest players of all time as Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate settled
  • Raul settled the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate with perfect answer
  • Arjen Robben perfectly settled the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi GOAT debate after facing both multiple times