Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Alejandro Garnacho breaks silence on GOAT debate

Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho has shared his take on the eternal Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate.

Garnacho is one of a select group of players to have played with both legends. He played with Ronaldo at United before the Portuguese left by mutual consent in late 2022. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old plays with Messi at Argentina, for whom he debuted last year.

The teenager is one of the brightest young players in the game and has made a promising start to his career at Old Trafford after coming up through the ranks. In 63 games across competitions, he has contributed 10 goals and seven assists.

Five of those goals and two assists have come in 27 games across competitions this term. That includes three goals and two assists in 18 games in the league, where United (31) are ninth after 20 games.

As per Albiceleste Talk, Garnacho provided a neutral take on the Messi-Ronaldo debate, admitting that he admires both legends.

“Messi or Ronaldo? They’re both amazing and great for me, I’m admiring them both same.”

Garnacho's United are in action at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday (January 14). A win will lift the Red Devils up to seventh, having made a winning start to the year by winning 2-0 at Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup opener last weekend.

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How Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi fared in international football in 2023

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are widely regarded as two of the best players in the sport's history. Both have scored over 800 goals for club and country and are still going strong.

Ronaldo, now at Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, had a sparkling year in international football in 2024. He bagged 10 goals and two assists in nine games in Portugal's successful UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami attacker Messi had a slightly less impressive year with Argentina but still managed eight goals and an assist in eight games across competitions. That includes three goals in five games in the Albiceleste's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.