Salah & Szoboszlai run rings around City in champion display

Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Magical Modric inspires Madrid on Mbappe off-day

KDB looks done! Captain leads City flops in Liverpool loss

Editors' Picks

INEOS to distance Man Utd from past as Ferguson blamed for struggles

Rashford's impact at Villa hailed by Asensio & Tielemans

Young quotes Mourinho as he reacts to overturned penalty decision

Man City, Barca & football's most dramatic falls from grace

Bompastor admits 'lying for 13 years' over secret relationship

'You are crazy!' - Amorim can't believe he's only won four games

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Portuguese has billed himself as most 'complete'</li><li>Locked in battle for supremacy with Messi</li><li>World Cup winner leaves GOAT debate to others</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'To be the best, you don't have to say it' - Cristiano Ronaldo's GOAT claim ripped apart by Lionel Messi's Argentina team-mate

<p>Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo – who is still going strong at 40 years of age - recently <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-declares-himself-goat-ahead-lionel-messi-diego-maradona-pele-al-nassr-critics-lying/blt9887b0464a57622c" target="_blank">billed himself as the most “complete” player in history</a>, with his qualities and record ranking him above the likes of Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona in that department.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Not <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/very-angry-cristiano-ronaldo-human-lie-detector-anxious-al-nassr-star-doesnt-really-believe-better-than-lionel-messi/blt92f4aa8d68c623f7" target="_blank">everybody has been convinced by Ronaldo’s argument</a> – particularly those with strong ties to his eternal rival Messi. The Argentine icon has eight Golden Balls to his name and is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">the most decorated player of all-time</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi’s fellow World Cup winner Nahuel Molina has told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsPqPeHdLY " target="_blank"><em>Infobae</em></a> of Ronaldo’s bold statement: “To be the best, you don't have to say it yourself, it has to be said by others. That's what I think. I would never consider myself the best at anything unless someone else comes along and tells me: ‘You do this well’.”</p>

WHAT NAHUEL MOLINA SAID

<p>Molina added when asked for his take on <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-vs-cristiano-ronaldo-ex-barcelona-portugal-star-deco-diplomatic-ideal-world-answer-goat-debate/bltd40c84d158ed2236" target="_blank">the GOAT debate</a>, with the Atletico Madrid star reluctant to give a definitive answer: “I have no doubt that Cristiano is a competitive animal and a footballer. The best in history or not, that is for others to say.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Ronaldo and Messi have been maintaining remarkable individual standards in the latter stages of their respective careers. CR7 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-final-career-goals-man-utd-coach-cr7-objectives-lebron-james-target-involving-portuguese-goat-son/blt9b4b88b27269a562" target="_blank">remains a prolific presence for Portugal and Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr</a>, while Inter Miami captain <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-wants-mls-cup-win-inter-miami-star-vows-come-back-stronger-play-off-heartache-herons-2024/blt2549de8b8cf2103e" target="_blank">Messi is the reigning MVP of MLS</a> heading into the 2025 campaign.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO & LIONEL MESSI?

'To be the best, you don't have to say it' - Cristiano Ronaldo's GOAT claim ripped apart by Lionel Messi's Argentina team-mate | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo’s GOAT claim has been ripped apart by a team-mate of Lionel Messi, with the Portuguese superstar told that the best “don’t say it”.

&apos;To be the best, you don&apos;t have to say it&apos; - Cristiano Ronaldo&apos;s GOAT claim ripped apart by Lionel Messi&apos;s Argentina team-mate