The debate over who between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi deserves to be considered the greatest player of his generation has dominated football's landscape for the past 15 years.
When it comes to judging the duo's respective merits and impacts, few are better placed than the original Ronaldo, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport this weekend, the two-time World Cup winner had no hesitations in picking Messi when he was asked to choose between the Argentine and Ronaldo.
It is not the first time the Brazilian has endorsed Messi.
Speaking in October ahead of the Ballon d'Or ceremony, Ronaldo said the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star deserved the award after leading Argentina to lift the World Cup in 2022.
'The Ballon d'Or should go to him [Lionel Messi], without a doubt,' he said.
'What Messi did in the World Cup was special. It reminded me of the campaigns of Pelé and Maradona.'
Messi duly picked up the Ballon d'Or for a record eighth time, beating Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
In his interview with Mail Sport, Ronaldo singled out the duo as the best strikers in world football and did not rule out they could one day be teammates in Madrid.
Mbappe revealed last month he will leave PSG at the end of the season as a free agent and is widely expected to join the Spanish giants.
Florentino Perez's admiration for Haaland is also well known, with reports in Spain suggesting the Real Madrid president could test Manchester City's resolve for the Norwegian sooner rather than later.
'Everyone is excited about Kylian Mbappe in Madrid. He is an amazing player,' Ronaldo said.
'He is going to be one of the best players in this moment. I think it's a very good choice for him if he joins Madrid. I think he will finally get the Ballon d'Or if he joins Real.
'We will see what happens with Mbappe at Real Madrid. One thing is for sure and that's that we are going to enjoy a lot more of Mbappe for the coming years.'
Pairing Mbappe with Haaland would usher in a second Galacticos era at Madrid, two decades after the likes of Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham joined arrived at the Bernabeu.
'Real Madrid's policy is to have the best players in the world. Haaland is one of the best players in the world. Everyone wants to have Haaland. He is at an unbelievable club,' Ronaldo said.
'City are doing an amazing job, I think he is very happy there at the moment. But, we will see. I hope we can see all of those players together in the one club. It will remind me of the Galacticos if they all [Haaland, Mbappe and Jude Bellingham] do end up at Real Madrid.
'If it happens [them all signing for Real Madrid], it's going to be crazy. Watching Real Madrid playing with all of those players together. It will be an unbelievable team that will achieve remarkable things.
'But I think it's going to be a great challenge for Carlo Ancelotti to manage all of those players. But, putting good players together is easier than putting bad players together. It won't be too much of a problem for the coach.'
PEP-GUAIDIOLA
748
"He who loves penalty, should be eliminated by penalty" what a shame
japito
557
But Messi always play well even if the end up losing He’s always great that’s why I love him, see how resilience he’s been through his career, losing lots of finals and being criticized by every media on the planet but he still didn’t give up until now that he’s conquered the world of football. Respect to Leo
Kingsgate1234
502
Ronaldo : " Always against me even the pole and the ball , FIFA must have done something the ball is rigged , it doesn't go in and the Penalty kick has lost its credibility " after Al Nassar knocked out of ACL😂😂
Madeee
286
Ramadaan Mubarak to all Muslim ummah❤
BarcaChelArg
255
What do you expect from someone that always looking for champions league glory in his life without getting it, winning world cup is not one player power, don't ever compare someone that play with great players and the one with only few
Your opinion must be respected at all costs; however, if the world was to vote for who the goat is , Messi would win like he has won it here @All Football, FIFA worldwide votes, opta stats, even Octopus went for Messi! You're right about in your opinion about CR7 and you're millions with the same opinion, however, Messi has a million more than you guys Ask FIFA for another worldwide goat elections which you and your fellows will participate, Messi will still win!!!
Aaronpauljr
46
In an Actual sense, There’s not even supposed to be a DEBATE between Messi and Ronaldo. They are Two Different Players. Way Too Different. Maybe if you compare Penaldo to his Class of players Unlike Forcing him to fit in The GOAT CALIBER Dimension where he doesn’t even Belong. In his Entire Career, He’s been Posting Silly comments About Leo in almost every Interview he has spoken. Fortunately, Messi Has never had time to give him Attention. That should should have given him a Hint to behave but, he’s just the way he’s. Only His Fans will be forcing this Debate otherwise, there’s no debate here.
McTonnberg
9
In an Actual sense, There’s not even supposed to be a DEBATE between Messi and Ronaldo. They are Two Different Players. Way Too Different. Maybe if you compare Penaldo to his Class of players Unlike Forcing him to fit in The GOAT CALIBER Dimension where he doesn’t even Belong. In his Entire Career, He’s been Posting Silly comments About Leo in almost every Interview he has spoken. Fortunately, Messi Has never had time to give him Attention. That should should have given him a Hint to behave but, he’s just the way he’s. Only His Fans will be forcing this Debate otherwise, there’s no debate here.
You started your statement well before you became childish. I have respect for these 2 guys and I think they have defined their generation. To me they are two different schools of thought. It should be a thing of who you prefer. But you guys that love Messi totally disrespect Ronaldo as if he’s an average player. The hatred for this guy is beginning to make people look foolish. It’s like comparing Benz and BMW. Don’t make Ronaldo look like a nobody because you love Messi. I prefer Ronaldo but I respect Messi too. It’s a thing of preference. If they was no equality they would not have been mentioning their names together all the time. So who else compares with Messi if not him. Because the one they call the original Ronaldo is no where near. Just the best no 9 in history. So let’s just show respect for LM10 and CR7. Different machines just go for your choice and not condemn the other. Sorry if I offended you. Didn’t mean it. One love.