ROY KEANE has landed a blow on Lionel Messi that’s as fierce as one of his crunching tackles.
The Manchester United legend omitted seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi from his top three of all-time greats.
Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane made Keane’s list.
But his trio of picks for best-ever Premier League stars was less controversial.
He chose former Old Trafford team-mates Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, plus Arsenal’s record scorer Thierry Henry.
It comes as fans on social media are in a frenzy over the possibility of Messi, 35, and 37-year-old Ronaldo finally playing together.
READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI
PSG will reportedly let “fed-up” striker Kylian Mbappe leave.
And that’s sparked talk of Portugal hero Ron joining Argentina icon Messi in Paris.
But for ex-Ireland hardman Keane it would NOT be a pair-up of GOATs.
Asked for his top three, he told Sky Sports: “Maradona would have to be up there, Ronaldo and I’d probably say Zidane for me.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
“He has to be up there. I thought he was amazing. I was lucky enough to play against him – brilliant player, nasty, scored a goal, won the big prizes. It’s hard to beat that.”
Keane left out Ryan Giggs and Alan Shearer from his list of finest English top-flight aces.
He said: “Looking at players in the Premier League – Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry.
“They’re the three I thought were excellent.”
Fellow Sky pundit Jamie Carragher named Diego Maradona, Messi and Zidane as his worldwide all-time choices.
But he refused to consider players he hadn’t seen, such as Pele and Johan Cruyff.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
