"If he played against Messi, he won’t be saying this" - Fans react as Manchester United star labels Cristiano Ronaldo as the GOAT

Fans were split after Manchester United defender Harry Maguire named Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest footballer of all time (GOAT). The 31-year-old made the claim in a quickfire word association game with GOAL.

Ronaldo re-joined Manchester United in 2021 when Maguire was the captain of the club. The duo appeared in 36 games alongside each other for the Red Devils in 2021 and 2022.

Besides calling the 39-year-old the GOAT, Maguire also picked him when the prompt was 'big-game player.' Fans were left debating whether the Englishman made the right call.

@OfficialBorbor wrote:

"If he played against Messi, he won’t be saying this."

On the other hand, @xtrim_254 wrote:

"Cristiano Ronaldo, no debate."

Here is a selection of fan reactions (via X):

"I'm so happy to hear that," @kenyatta_riouse wrote.

"He knows nothing about football," @og_stunner1 contradicted Maguire's answer.

"Bro Have (has) 0 Ball knowledge literally in football, that's why coach never let you in any match to play," @Peter3423098 claimed.

"Maguire? A mid defender will obviously pick Ronaldo," @psg__chief slammed the English international.

"The king of own goals should not have an opinion on who the goat is," @Popular_Althea retorted.

"Conversely, @KiranTharun3 seemed to agree with the defender, claiming, "Maguire was spot on!"

"He knows ball let him retire at the club my capitano," @UTD_JAYC wrote.

"Maguire has spoken goat debates are over," @vinijr7_fc concluded.

"For me, he is the greatest" - When Harry Maguire called Cristiano Ronaldo the best footballer in history after the latter's Manchester United return in 2021

Harry Maguire has always been outspoken in his praise for Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo. When the 39-year-old rejoined Manchester United from Juventus in 2021, Maguire called him the 'greatest player' of all time.

Before England's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Hungary (September 2, 2021), Maguire was asked about Ronaldo's return to Manchester United. The Englishman said (via GOAL):

"Yeah, of course, it's amazing... for me, he is the greatest player to play the game. It's amazing to have him at the club and I'm sure he's gonna have a huge impact on and off the field, and many players can look and learn and improve."

While it was short-lived, Ronaldo did have a solid impact in his second spell at Old Trafford. He bagged 27 goals and five assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.

However, Ronaldo's exit from the club was unceremonious. His contract was mutually terminated in November 2022 after he called out the state of affairs at the club in an interview with Piers Morgan. Since January 2023, he has plied his trade at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, bouncing back to form with 58 goals and 15 assists in 64 appearances across all competitions.