Messi vs Ronaldo: Scientific Research Finally Settles GOAT Debate

• Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the football scene for more than a decade
• The two football greats have achieved significant success during their careers in Europe, winning 12 Ballon d'Or awards between them
• However, fans, pundits, and footballers have, for the longest time, been divided on who is the GOAT

Scientific research has somehow settled the unending GOAT debate pitting Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The two football icons have dominated the football scene for years, with the duo winning an incredible 12 Ballon d'Or awards between them.

Despite their successes on and off the pitch, fans, pundits, and even fellow footballers have often been conflicted on who the two is the greatest of all time.

According to Goal, while both players have achieved significant success, the raging GOAT debate is expected to persist into the future.

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Science decides football GOAT

Somehow, science, through Liverpool's outgoing director of research Ian Graham has settled the GOAT debate.

Speaking to an audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival, Graham disclosed his scientific research had shown Messi is the GOAT.

"It’s Messi," Graham declared via Sportbible.

"The difference is that Messi is also a world-class attacking midfielder. The chances he creates for his teammates are an order of magnitude greater than Ronaldo.

"Messi does two jobs brilliantly. Ronaldo does one job brilliantly. That’s the difference," he added.

Graham's research came at a time Messi is set to spend the twilight years of his glittering career in the MLS with Inter Miami.

The Argentine football icon is due to join the David Beckham-associated side after quitting Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this season.

Messi speaks on GOAT debate

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Messi discussing the unending GOAT debate between himself and his age-old adversary, Cristiano Ronaldo.

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The 35-year-old, who recently picked up his second Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award in Paris, finally weighed in on the debate.

Messi told CNN that simply being considered among the greatest names football had ever seen was an achievement on its own to him.