Messi vs Ronaldo: Sir Alex Ferguson gives his verdict on the GOAT debate
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Sir Alex Ferguson settles the GOAT debate || Credit: The Sun, X and The Mirror

Messi vs Ronaldo: Sir Alex Ferguson gives his verdict on the GOAT debate

Stephen Oladehinde 08:25 - 21.11.2023

The battle of who's the greatest of all time between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continues, with many giving their verdict on the debate.

Messi and Ronaldo’s career was the biggest rivalry in football, with both players reaching the highest level no one expected. 

Many pundits, footballers, ex-footballers and managers including Jose Mourinho, have all had a say in the debate, which doesn’t look like it will end soon.

This time, Manchester United's legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson also weighed into the GOAT debate.

Sir Alex Ferguson former Man United manager || Credit: Imago
Sir Alex Ferguson former Man United manager || Credit: Imago

Alex Ferguson on who is the GOAT

Given that Ronaldo was maybe the best player to train under the Scot, Sir Alex Ferguson undoubtedly has a close relationship with the player. 

However, when Alex Ferguson was asked by world snooker champion John Parrott to choose between the two, he gave the ideal response.

Ferguson said as reported by the Mirror, "People say who is the best player in the world? And plenty of people quite rightly say Messi - you can't dispute that opinion. 

Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or Award || Credit: X
Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or Award || Credit: X

"But Ronaldo could play for Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers… Anyone, and score a hat-trick in a game.

"I'm not sure Messi could do it. Ronaldo's got two feet, he's quick, great in the air, he's brave - Messi's brave, of course. I think Messi's a Barcelona player."

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr || (Photo Credit: Imago)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr || (Photo Credit: Imago)

Alex Ferguson swayed towards Cristiano Ronaldo being the GOAT and gave his reasons for picking the Portuguese over the Argentine.

The Scottish manager insisted that Ronaldo could play in a lower team and still perform at the level he has been performing.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson || Credit: X
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson || Credit: X

Cristiano Ronaldo played under Sir Alex Ferguson for six years and claimed his first-ever Ballon d'Or award at Man United.

He then moved from Old Trafford to Real Madrid in 2009 and won four more Ballon d'Or awards.