Gary Neville: 'World Cup final won't settle GOAT debate, I prefer Ronaldo'

Speaking about the debate on who is the greatest of all time if Lionel Messi wins the World Cup final, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “Fans of Messi, Maradona, Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo can say: “That’s it, the topic (of the GOAT debate). closed.

“But I don’t think Sunday’s game should define a career. At the same time, I believe that the achievement of Maradona in 1986 will always hang over Messi and Argentina. If Messi wins, these situations will have a lot in common.

“But my opinion won’t change. Based on what he has achieved, I consider him one of the greatest in history, but this is a matter of preference.

“I prefer Cristiano Ronaldo over Messi, while knowing that, of course, Messi destroyed my team twice in the Champions League finals, and he had magic moments in this tournament. But it all comes down to how people look at football.

“If Argentina loses France, then we will suddenly have no reason to say that Messi is definitely not the best player. If you believed in him as the greatest in history, then you should continue to stick to your opinion.”

Neville has been quite critical of Ronaldo’s performances this year, so it’s surprising to see him pick his former Man United teammate over the Argentine in the GOAT debate now.

Messi will look to do something Cristiano has never done, which is winning the World Cup on Sunday when Argentina face France in the final.

Source: Sky Sports