Messi vs Ronaldo: Lionel Messi Finally Gives His Verdict on Who Is the GOAT

• Lionel Messi has spoken out about the ongoing GOAT debate between fans of himself and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo
• The argument of who is superior has shifted back and forth, influenced by factors such as the season, the trophies won, and even individual matches
• Messi recently cemented his GOAT status by scooping the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award at a star-studded ceremony in Paris

Lionel Messi has revealed his position on the unending debate on who is the Greatest Footballer of All Time (GOAT) between himself and his age-old adversary Cristiano Ronaldo.

The extent of their domination over the last decade has made the "Greatest Of All Time" argument almost exclusively revolve around the rivalry between the mercurial Argentine playmaker and the Portuguese sensation.

But for many, the argument came to an end when Messi inspired Argentina to the ultimate football trophy - World Cup glory - in Qatar last year, cementing the PSG star's claim to the GOAT title.

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Nonetheless, a cross-section of football fans has passionately contended the Messi GOAT acclaim, picking Ronaldo ahead of Messi.

After many expert opinions and fan discussions on the GOAT debate, the 35-year-old, who picked up his second Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award in Paris, finally weighed in on the debate.

“Well, it wasn’t a thought I had around my career knowing I was looking for that," Messi told CNN as quoted by Ghanaweb.

The Argentine phenom, who currently plays for Inter Miami in the MLS, stressed that he is not playing solely to claim the title of the GOAT. Nevertheless, he is aware of the acclaim that his outstanding accomplishments in football have earned him.

"The mere fact of being considered among the names of people thinking or saying of being among those, whatever, ten or five, three whoever they want is already crazy. I never played soccer because of that. But obviously, I’m grateful that people think that way, and honestly, I don’t give importance to whatever position it is.”

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According to Mirror, he became the first athlete to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and also pick up the Laureus World Team of the Year Award in the same year, solidifying his status as one, if not the, greatest footballer to have graced the sport.

He even netted a brilliant winner for Inter Miami on his debut in the MLS Cup.

GOAT: Ronaldo's ex-teammates choose Messi

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that most times, the opinion of some past and present footballers on the two superstars is influenced by their loyalty towards the player, either as teammates at the club level or with the national team.

However, the interesting thing is that some of Ronaldo's former teammates strongly believe Messi is the superior footballer.

Speaking after Croatia suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Argentina, Modric controversially rated Messi as the GOAT instead of Ronaldo.