"The best player that's ever played the game" - When Trent Alexander-Arnold picked between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold once weighed in on the never-ending GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The right-back named the Argentine as the best player ever to play the game.

Alexander-Arnold said Messi is the best player he has faced. He opined that it was impossible to fathom anyone better than him based on what the Argentine legend has achieved in the sport. He told Daily Mail in July this year (via Give Me Sport):

"The best has to be Messi for me. Best player I've played against. The best player that's ever played the game. I never watched Maradona. To imagine anyone better than what I've been able to see [from Messi], my brain doesn't comprehend it. There's no way anyone can be better than him."

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered two of the greatest footballers to play the game. The duo has won a combined 13 Ballons d’Or and have scored over 1700 goals.

Both players are now in the twilight of their careers. The Argentine icon plays for Inter Miami in the MLS, while the Portuguese legend plies his trade for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has faced Messi just once — in Liverpool’s iconic 4-0 second-leg comeback win over Barcelona during the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final. He has also played against Ronaldo three times (once at Real Madrid, and twice at Manchester United), recording one win and two losses.

Lionel Messi recently beat Cristiano Ronaldo to set new record

Lionel Messi recently beat rival Cristiano Ronaldo to a new record. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner became the fastest player and also the youngest to reach 850 goals for club and country.

Messi reached the milestone after scoring for Inter Miami in their 3-2 MLS Cup playoff loss to Atlanta on Saturday (November 9). He set the record at 1081 matches across competitions at the age of 37. Ronaldo previously held the record at 1179 matches, aged 39.

The Argentine netted 672 times in 778 games for Barcelona and scored 32 goals in 75 games for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Additionally, He has 112 goals in 189 appearances for Argentina and 34 goals in 39 outings for Inter Miami.