It is a debate that has raged on within the walls of football for the best part of two decades and Steven Gerrard is the latest to have his say.
Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Some feel that your answer on this question alone can serve as the foundation for your entire outlook on football. The dyed-in-the-wool Messi hardcore will be disappointed by Gerrard's recent remarks, where he seems to suggest that in his eyes, Ronaldo conquers all.
While waxing lyrical about the Saudi top flight given his status as manager of Al-Ettifaq and claiming that the division is on everyone's lips at the moment, Gerrard praised the influence of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. "The arrival of 'The GOAT' as we call him, Cristiano, him arriving in January obviously was a huge signing," Gerrard told the Saudi Pro League . "He still had a lot of football to offer.
"So, from afar, for six months, I was looking in at Cristiano Ronaldo's results, at the league, watching some games and watching some highlights. I think from that moment, the league around the world had become a very popular talking point for everyone. After Cristiano's arrival, even more big-name signings, talents and skill sets were joining the league."
The comments are undeniably flattering and will go down very well at Ronaldo HQ. However, Gerrard is currently singing a very different tune to the one he belted out as recently as April of last year.
Back in Messi's Paris Saint-Germain days, Gerrard was asked by Gary Neville on the Overlap YouTube channel where he stood on the 'GOAT' debate, at which time the Liverpool legend was still in charge of Aston Villa and a Saudi switch was not on his radar.
Gerrard was firm in his view that Messi had the edge on Ronaldo, telling Neville: "I think they're both operating on a different planet to every footballer that's ever lived, probably besides your Peles and your Maradonas.
"But Messi, for me, is more of a team player. If he's in on goal, he'll look for a pass as well as obviously posting really, really good numbers individually as well."
Since those comments were made, Messi has won the World Cup and snubbed a move to Saudi in favour of life Stateside with Inter Miami. In contrast, Gerrard and Ronaldo have both set up shop in the Middle East, so it isn't exactly difficult to determine why the Liverpool legend may now be singing the former Real Madrid man's song.
Gerrard's assessment isn't exactly wrong, a number of high-profile stars have followed Ronaldo out to Saudi Arabia. However, most, much like Ronaldo, are nearing the end of their playing days at the top level.
If the Saudi Pro League is currently viewed as somewhat of a retirement home from for players, it's hardly a hot-bed of up and coming managerial talent and some have questioned Gerrard's decision to take what is just his third top job in such a league.
It has hardly been a dream start to life in the Middle East for the 43-year-old, who has overseen just six wins from the opening 13 games of the season. As a result, Al-Ettifaq currently sit seventh in the table 13 points behind league-leaders Al-Hilal and nine adrift of Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
Discussing the size of the task that awaits him, Gerrard was keen to stress that it is not something that could be completed any time soon. "It's not something you fix in a week, a month, or six months," he added.
"It's a project to build on the pitch, which is obviously the priority, but also a lot of things needed to change around it to give the first team the support it needs."
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fazabcdiny
953
People that understand football know that Ronaldo is the goat ๐
chukadinho
652
Itโs no debate, itโs just a media propaganda comparing Ronaldo to Messi.. Messi is by far better than Ronaldoโฆ donโt get me wrong, Ronaldo it a superb player with extraordinary mindset.. Ronaldo works very hard to be where he is now but Messi is just Messiโฆ. From in field to attack he offers a lot.
fazabcdiny
563
If u understand football Ronaldo is the goat ๐
Pikin90
514
Cr5 knows Messi is better than him in all area so he decided to be looking for goals ๐ฅ to at least keep something to argue on about the goat โ๐ debate. .... I saw the game ๐ฎ๐ฏ yesterday because I wanted to see him perform, he may have assisted but he wasted more balls ๐ by shooting from a long range, his disappointment made him miss some headers he could have scored on a normal day and might I add, Lukakuโs four goals may have mounted some pressure on him .... You all can debate for all you want and Gerard, Saudi Football Federation pays you well so you have to defend their league king ๐ .... Deep down Cr5 sister, mother, son and wife, even the Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus and Portugal fans, they know Messi is a better player, if they tell you the truth, they will say that Messi is The Worst Thing that happened to Cr5 in football โฝ๐ because Cr5 is a legend and have everything that life can offer even richer than Messi himself and loved more but in football โฝ๐, Messi is his only Dilemma ..... ARGUE WITH YOUR KEYBOARD AND CALL NAMES .... I DO NOT CARE ..... SPAIN IS WHITE AND MADRID IS ITS CAPITAL .... HALA MADRID
buyaboty
431
the fear of getting sacked
elvis_ben_
421
this is the only GOAT ๐ I know โค๏ธ
gm11
313
so konate is a United player ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Oh shit I didn't know France won the world that year, oh wait wait they didn't atleast he tried, nd you do realise konate was on the bench for most the tournament. Upamecano and Varane started most games even In the final.
brsgjyrtfh
300
the king of football ๐๐๐๐๐ CR7 earn not giving, the greatest of all time love you ๐ฅฐ๐ฏ๐ my idol ๐ต๐น
Emmanuel4jesus12
12
People that understand football know that Ronaldo is the goat ๐
I think he needs to shut up his mouth
elvis_ben_
11
People that understand football know that Ronaldo is the goat ๐
shut up your mouth
Helderp73770
10
People that understand football know that Ronaldo is the goat ๐
Liverpool fans that have sense know that Messi is the GOAT. Even the GOAT of coaches, Pep and Klopp has said it. If Gerrard had called Messi GOAT, Al Ettifaq would have sacked him.
BanAllVisitors
9
People that understand football know that Ronaldo is the goat ๐
Of course a visitor says this ๐คก