Roberto Carlos Explains Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is a Better Player Than Lionel Messi

• Roberto Carlos has weighed in on the Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi GOAT debate
• The former Brazil international picked his preference while explaining why one is better than the other
• Even after calling time on his professional career, Carlos continues to maintain a strict fitness routine and remains an advocate for the importance of training and physical fitness

Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player than Lionel Messi, according to legendary Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos.

It is undeniable that Ronaldo and Messi are incredibly talented and accomplished athletes who have achieved numerous records and accolades throughout their careers, but the question still lingers - who is the GOAT?

The never-ending, ever-divisive debate on who the better player is between Ronaldo and his long-term rival continues to rage on despite both players entering the concluding phase of their careers.

Offering his two pence on the discussion, Carlos, who was known for his intense love for training and dedication to his craft, tilted towards Ronaldo in the GOAT argument.

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"These days, when you talk about football, you talk about Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo. Cristiano has worked to improve" Carlos told Fox Sports in 2017 as quoted by Sportskeeda.

"When you talk about the Ballon d'Or or any other prize, it's not just any person who votes, it's people who know football, who follow the stats of the players and pick the best in the world.

The Brazilian once famously stated that "football is my life, training is my passion", and comes as no surprise he favours Ronaldo ahead of Messi due to the former's dedication to training.

"I watch him train every day and the way he works is exciting. He wants to improve every day. That's the difference with Messi. Leo is a phenomenon, we never talk about Neymar... but that side of Cristiano, of training, professionalism, focus, motivation, success...Cristiano has an advantage over all the others."

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Ronaldo is currently aged 38 and still waxing strong, albeit in the Middle East, playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he has scored 12 goals in 12 league matches, while Leo Messi also continues to weave his magic for Paris Saint-Germain.

Van Gaal picks Ronaldo over Messi

In a related article, Sports Brief also reported that Louis van Gaal is among a number of high-ranking members of the football fraternity who have now delved into the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate.

The argument on who between the two football stars is the greatest of all time has often left many football lovers divided.

Speaking on the legendary duo, the former Netherlands coach heaped praises on the two iconic superstars as the best players of their era. Van Gaal, 71, then disclosed his preference for the Portuguese legend in the GOAT debate.

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Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has identified Erling Haaland as the heir apparent to the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo throne, suggesting the era of the GOAT duo has come to an end, Sports Brief reported.

Haaland has been on fire since swapping Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City, dwarfing virtually every goal-scoring record in England and, by extension, Europe.

It thus comes as no surprise that Rooney stated Haaland was by far the best footballer on the planet presently.