“It’s a different game to the one mere mortals play” – Gary Lineker justifies his choice in GOAT debate involving Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Former England star Gary Lineker has explained why he considers Lionel Messi better than his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Lineker said that Messi, alongside Diego Maradona, played a different brand of football, at a level that was unfathomable for any other player in history.

Lineker has long been an ardent supporter of Messi, regularly picking the Argentine above Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT (greatest of all time) debate. In an interview with the Men’s Health magazine, Lineker explained why he was so biased towards the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.

When it was pointed out that he was possibly obsessed with Messi, the former Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur striker replied (via Express Sport):

“Justifiably. I think he and Maradona are the two greatest footballers of all time. I think there is a case to make that Messi is the greatest sportsman of all time. Only Muhammad Ali gets close, and there are a lot more footballers than heavyweight boxers.”

Lineker added:

“Then there is Messi and Maradona, doing things that other people just cannot do. It’s like they are watching themselves from above, seeing every dimension around them. It a different game to the one mere mortals play.”

Lineker’s comments are unlikely to sit well with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who has found his second wind at Al-Nassr. Since transferring to Saudi Arabia, he has scored 11 goals in as many games across competitions. He has also scored braces in his last two games for Portugal.

Messi, too, has been on fire for Argentina, scoring four times, including a hat-trick, in La Albicelste's last two friendlies. Things have not looked as great for him at PSG, though, with him getting booed by the club's supporters ahead of the 1-0 defeat to Lyon.

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Juninho advises Lionel Messi to return to Barcelona, claims it's better than facing Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi derby

Brazilian legend Juninho has advised Lionel Messi to return to Barcelona after ending his contract with Paris Saint-Germain in June.

Messi is less than three months away from becoming a free agent, and speculation about his future is ripe. PSG have long wanted to extend Messi's stay, while Barcelona and Saudi Arabian clubs have been in touch with the Argentine’s entourage about a possible summer transfer.

Amidst that, Lyon legend Juninho has offered Messi some clarity, advising the La Masia graduate to take a sizeable pay cut and return to Camp Nou.

“He (Lionel Messi) has succeeded in everything; he is the world champion, but time passes for everyone. I think the best thing (for him) is to return to Barcelona, but in another way. Returning to Barca with the same contract might not go down well with the supporters,” Juninho told RMC Sport.

He continued:

“If he returns to Barca with his heart, another speech and a contract (taking into account) the conditions of Barca today, it can be a good choice. It's better than going to a derby against Cristiano Ronaldo, with all due respect to the Saudi League.”

According to Fabrizio Romano, Al-Hilal have tabled a massive €400 million/year contract to lure Messi to the Saudi Pro League and pit him against Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are reportedly studying the viability of offering Messi revenue from ticket sales, sponsorship, and merchandise sales (via Barca Blaugranes) as they explore ways to lure their legend back.