"They'll still be talked about forever" - Cristiano Ronaldo's former teammate explains why Lionel Messi will be considered the better player

Cristiano Ronaldo's former Manchester United teammate Kieran Richardson believes that Lionel Messi is the better of the two players. The midfielder, though, admitted that he admires both players.

Richardson played with Ronaldo, who United signed as a promising 18-year-old in 2004. The 39-year-old former Sunderland winger said that both Messi and Ronaldo are GOATS. He said on the Steven Sulley Podcast about who he would pick between the two:

"They (Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi) are both the GOATs. But if I had to pick one, then I have to pick Messi, even though I know Ronaldo, I've played with Ronaldo, I love Ronaldo."

He added that because of the impact both players, who have 13 Ballon d'Or awards between them, have had in the game, they will be remembered forever.

"When they pass away, they'll still be talked about forever," Richardson added.

Richardson, who could play on the wing, midfield and as a full back, joined the Red Devils as a 17-year-old in 2001. After spending a year with the youth team, he was promoted to the senior team, where he spent five seasons, making 81 appearances, scoring 11 times.

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Lionel Messi's World Cup win puts him over Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate, according to Richardson

Although the Englishman's career with Manchester United started around the same time as Cristiano Ronaldo's, their trajectories would be different.

Richardson failed to established a starting XI spot and was eventually sold to Sunderland, where he played a significant part of his career. Ronaldo, meanwhile, won his first Ballon d'Or during his time in England before moving on to Real Madrid and establishing himself as one of the best ever.

Richardson, though, highlighted that Messi's 2022 FIFA World Cup win in Qatar was 'massive'.

"Just because Messi got that World Cup. It's a massive thing having that World Cup, because even before Messi had the World Cup, everyone was saying, 'yeah, but he hasn't won it yet'," said Richardson.

He added that winning the quadrennial tournament put Lionel Messi above the likes of Diego Maradona and Pele, too. The Argentine forward is currently plying his trade in MLS with Inter Miami while his rival, Ronaldo, plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.