“I would rate Messi slightly higher”: Ex-Real Madrid star snubs Cristiano Ronaldo in GOAT debate 

Real Madrid legend Julio Baptista has placed Lionel Messi over former Los Blancos superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the everlasting GOAT debate.

Baptista said the two icons were the best in the sport in the last 20 years. Speaking to Oddspedia about this, he said (via Forbes):

"Both Lionel and Cristiano Ronaldo are incredible players. But I would rate Messi slightly higher. I think because they both played in the same league for Real Madrid and Barcelona, it created an incredible rivalry."

"There was so much expectation of them and they have both delivered. Ronaldo is unbelievable but Messi is a genius, winning Ballon d'Or eight times says it all."

He added:

"They are the best players of the last 20 years and probably in the history of football."

The Argentine, who now plies his trade for MLS side Inter Miami, was simply brilliant while he was at Barcelona. He bagged 672 goals and 303 assists from 778 appearances across competitions for the Blaugrana before leaving in 2021.

The World Cup winner managed to secure three UEFA Champions League trophies and 10 La Liga titles at Camp Nou. Meanwhile, Ronaldo also proved to be extremely successful at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He scored 450 goals and bagged 131 assists from 438 appearances across competitions for Real Madrid. The 39-year-old striker managed to win the Champions League on four occasions with the Spanish team while lifting the La Liga trophy twice, among other honors.

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Wayne Rooney places Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate

Ex-Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate, as he quite comfortably placed Lionel Messi over him.

This seems rather surprising, given Rooney and Ronaldo spent time together playing for the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Both players appeared 205 times beside one another, bagging 25 joint-goal contributions across competitions.

Despite sharing the pitch with Ronaldo, Rooney told Sky Bet (via FourFourTwo):

"I think Messi, he's the best ever. I get a lot of stick for saying him, where its as if, ‘How can you say Messi, it’s Ronaldo.’"

Both players are now out of Europe and are in the final legs of their respective careers. Ronaldo had his contract mutually terminated at Manchester United before joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January 2023, where he currently plays.