“I've never seen a player like him” - When ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole picked between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate 

Joe Cole made his thoughts on the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate clear after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He claimed that the Argentine has won the debate after winning it all with club and country.

Speaking on BT Sport in 2023, Cole said that Messi was the greatest player of all time. He stated that only Pele comes close to the Argentine, not Ronaldo or Diego Maradona and said:

"There's always a debate. What he has put to bed is the debate about this generation because he's won it all. Earlier on in the tournament, he was struggling and there were question marks. But he carried them. I've never seen a player like him - I think he's the greatest player of all time, only Pele has a case against him. I think he stands next to him - not Ronaldo or Maradona, above them."

Cole continued:

"I was watching him at the World Cup with some greats of the game, and they were saying, 'Oh, he can't do this, he can't do this.' Like a boxer, where they're sizing up the opponent, he's strolling around in the first 20 minutes, looking for weaknesses."

"He's just like, 'I'm just going to grab a minute here.' He has a look at the opposition, then bursts into life. He used to have those moments all the time, he can't do that anymore, but he's incredible," added the Chelsea legend.

Lionel Messi played a key role in helping Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the side defeating France on penalties in the final. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo struggled with the national team during the tournament.

Joleon Lescott on Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate

Joleon Lescott was also on BT Sport with Joe Cole and stated that Lionel Messi is a perfect football player. He stressed that the only player close to the Argentine is the legendary Diego Maradona and said:

"He is one of a kind, a true football genius. This is a young Messi, the dribbling and speed is unmatched. Maradona the only comparison. The one thing that sets him apart is his intelligence - he sees the game a second quicker. This longevity sets him apart. He is now playing as a playmaker. He is the perfect football player."

Lionel Messi managed to help Argentina win the Copa America once again this year but got injured in the final. Cristiano Ronaldo could not do much at EURO 2024 and he failed to score a single goal in the tournament this summer.