“Brilliant player, nasty, scored a goal, won the big prizes” - When Roy Keane named 3 players ahead of Lionel Messi in GOAT debate

Manchester United legend Roy Keane once snubbed Lionel Messi and named Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zinedine Zidane the GOATs. The Irish defensive midfielder played 478 games for the Red Devils, winning seven Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, and four English FA Cups, among others.

Lionel Messi is widely considered one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. The Argentine genius is known for his exceptional ball control, free kicks, and ability to dribble past players with ease. The 37-year-old maestro is an eight-time recipient of the coveted Ballon d'Or - the most by any individual in the history of the game.

In his professional career, he has racked up a whopping 1229 goal contributions for club and country - the most by any player in the history of the game. Lionel Messi's collective achievements also include four UEFA Champions Leagues (although UEFA's official website mentions three), 10 LaLigas, two Copa Americas, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

However, during a 2022 discussion on Sky Sports Monday Night Football alongside Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane snubbed the Argentine legend. Keane named Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zinedine Zidane as the three best players to have played football, saying (via Inter Miami News):

“Away from that, Maradona would have to be up there, Ronaldo and then I’d probably say Zidane for me. He was amazing and I was lucky enough to play against him. Brilliant player, nasty, scored a goal, won the big prizes. Hard to beat that.”

Even in the twilight of his career, Lionel Messi is putting up impressive numbers for his current club Inter Miami. In 2024, the Argentine maestro registered 23 goals and 13 assists in 25 games across competitions. He also helped The Herons win the first MLS Supporter's Shield in the club's history.

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When Jamie Carragher disagreed with Roy Keane's snubbing of Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate

Manchester City v RB Leipzig: Round of 16 Second Leg - UEFA Champions League - Source: Getty

During the discussion between Keane and Jamie Carragher at Sky Sports Monday Night Football, the latter objected to Keane placing Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zidane above Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate.

“Forget players I hadn’t seen, so I didn’t want to get involved with Cruyff, Pele and things like that. So, just the players that have made me go ‘wow’ since the mid-80s. Number one, for me, would be Messi," he claimed.

“I said last week, if Argentina won the World Cup it would cement him, in a lot of peoples’ eyes, as the number one,” concluded the former English defender.

Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste won the 2022 FIFA World Cup by defeating Kylian Mbappe's France in the final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. After a 3-3 draw by the end of 120 minutes, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez's heroics helped Argentina register a famous World Cup win against Les Bleus.