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      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: The GOAT debate ended once and for all by the stars who played with BOTH legends

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO or Lionel Messi?For close to TWO DECADES, fans have bickered in pubs, parks and playgrounds about which superstar is better.
      Who is truly the greatest of all-time: Messi or Ronaldo?
      Now more than ever supporters seem to be arguing the case for their favourite on social media.
      Both have enjoyed glittering careers, winning loads of trophies, scoring hundreds of goals and earning mountains of personal accolades.
      In truth there is no way us mere mortals can truly know whether Ronaldo or Messi is the best of all-time.
      So we’ve gone to those who know them best to find out who they think is No1.
      Below are 12 stars who played alongside both during their careers – and who THEY believe to be the best ever…
      PAULO DYBALA
      Dybala is a current team-mate of Messi and Ronaldo – and couldn’t separate the two
      The Argentina ace diplomatically claimed: “It is impossible to make a comparison between the two of them or say who is the best.
      “They are at a level on a par with each other and well above everybody else and that has been the case for several years.”
      RESULT: Draw

      DECO
      Deco couldn’t split Ronaldo and Messi
      THE midfield maestro played alongside Messi during the Argentine’s early days at the Nou Camp – while starring alongside Ronaldo for Portugal.
      But when asked to end the ‘who’s better’ debate, Deco refused – and picked Barcelona pal Ronaldinho instead.
      Deco revealed: “From the outset, it is clear that Leo and Cristiano are the greatest.
      “Especially because no one thought they could take so many years to this level, but the one that impressed me most despite not being so decisive was Ronaldinho.
      “For me, he will always be the best.
      “We met in Barcelona and immediately connected with him, the moments I lived with him are difficult to compare to anything. It was magical.”
      RESULT: Draw
      ANGEL DI MARIA
      Di Maria considers it an honour to play alongside Messi
      THE Paris Saint-Germain winger teamed up with Ronaldo at Real Madrid – where they won the 2014 Champions League – and has played many times with Messi for his country.
      But on who was better, Di Maria claimed Messi was the one, saying: “It was a dream to have the possibility to play with [Wayne] Rooney, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, Cristiano [Ronaldo], Leo [Messi]…
      “Leo is the best of the four.
      “With all the great players I have played with, it’s hard to choose. But if I had to pick one, it would be Leo.
      “Messi is the best in the world – there is no question about that.
      “When I am an old man I will tell my grandchildren bedtime stories about when I won the Champions League, hopefully when I won the World Cup…
      “But most of all I will tell them their grandfather used to play with Lionel Messi.”
      RESULT: Messi
      GABRIEL HEINZE
      Heinze was the only star to play alongside both who opted for Ronaldo
      THE Argentine left-back played with Ronaldo at Manchester United and Messi for his country – but their paths would have crossed at Newell’s Old Boys too, when Messi was a lad.
      Over the years, Heinze has had his say on both.
      In 2008, he claimed: “If I had to pay for one player I would choose [Ronaldo].
      “I don’t think Cristiano will get any better as a footballer, he is already next to God in his ability.”
      But in 2016, he added: “Leo is inexplicable. He does not come from this planet. And as a person, he leads such a quiet life that is admirable.”
      Despite his glowing praise, technically he did not overturn his decision to name Ronaldo in 2008…
      RESULT: Ronaldo
      GONZALO HIGUAIN
      Higuain currently plays alongside both Messi and Ronaldo
      A FORMER team-mate of Ronaldo’s at Juve – following a spell together at Real Madrid – and Messi for Argentina, Higuain knows all about both.
      And he revealed: “[Ronaldo and I] had already played together with Real. Many years have passed, and I have found another player, a more mature person, with a family.
      “I enjoyed playing alongside him before and I am glad that we are back together.
      “I’m a forward and I have the chance to play with Messi. It’s a privilege to play alongside him.
      “Every time he gets the ball you need to be on your toes because you know that at any moment he can give you a great ball or pull your marker away from you.
      “He does things that a striker can anticipate but a defender can’t.”
      RESULT: Draw
      FERNANDO GAGO
      Fernando Gago opted for Messi over Ronaldo having played with both
      ANOTHER former Real team-mate of Ronaldo who played alongside Messi for Argentina, Gago was in no doubts as to is the better player.
      Gago claimed: “For me he [Ronaldo] is not No1. For me, the best in the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes matches.
      “Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays.
      “We know that he has the ability to win a match in half a second and that gives you peace of mind.
      “In every game I have the feeling that he can make us win at any time. Messi’s way of leading is with the ball, sometimes a glance is enough.
      “He has an incredible personality, he understands the game perfectly, he has fought for 14 years to be the best without letting himself down, and that shows how he is.
      “He is the best I have seen in my life, without a doubt.”
      RESULT: Messi
      EZEQUIEL GARAY
      Garay opted for his fellow Argentine Messi over Ronaldo
      YET another former Los Blancos team-mate of Ronaldo who starred on the international scene with Messi, Garay also ranks Leo as the No1.
      Garay revealed: “When people ask me who is the best player ever, I say Leo.
      “From the first time I saw him with Argentina Under-15s to this day he continues to amaze me. He has no limit.”
      RESULT: Messi
      ANDRE GOMES
      Gomes spent time with Messi at Barcelona and still plays with Ronaldo for Portugal now
      THE Everton midfielder spent two years playing alongside Messi at Barcelona, and is captained by Ronaldo for the Portuguese national team.
      And he claimed: “[Ronaldo] is a very important player, who is always present and ready to play.
      “He is very serious about the responsibility of leading our country, we have great spirit, and he’s a great example for all of us.
      “Everyone knows that Messi is very, very good. He does things in games that you cannot explain; he just knows different things and can do it.
      “In training it is a show, because every day he can invent something new.
      “You think you’re used to it, but there is always one day you go to the dressing room surprised by something he has done.”
      RESULT: Draw
      HENRIK LARSSON
      Larsson opted for Messi over Ronaldo thanks to their time at Barca
      THE Swedish legend won the Champions League with Messi, early in the now-PSG star’s career – at Barcelona – and played 13 times alongside Ronaldo during his loan spell at Old Trafford.
      But Larsson knows who he’d choose, saying: “Cristiano is unlucky to be playing at the same time as Messi.
      “Ronaldo is a very good player, but Messi is even better.
      “He is out of this world. He’s so good that it’s almost incredible.
      “When you see him with the ball at his feet it’s hard to believe that anybody else could do the same. He’s a fantastic player to see.”
      RESULT: Messi
      GERARD PIQUE
      Gerard Pique chose long-standing Barca pal Messi over Ronaldo
      THE Spaniard played with Ronaldo early in his own Man Utd career and until this summer was a long-serving team-mate of Messi at the Nou Camp.
      He has his favourite though, saying: “Cristiano is a perfect machine, a hard worker who always wants to improve.
      “I always said that Messi has some talent that no one has.
      “For me it’s like Messi is not human but [Ronaldo] is the best of the humans.”
      RESULT: Messi
      NELSON SEMEDO
      Semedo is a former team-mate of Messi, while he plays with Ronaldo for Portugal
      HAVING won back-to-back LaLiga crowns at Barcelona before moving to Wolves, along with the Uefa Nations League with Portugal, Semedo has enjoyed success with both Messi and Ronaldo.
      And he claimed: “Real Madrid have noticed [Ronaldo’s] absence a lot.
      “I cannot say that it was bad for [Barcelona] that Cristiano left. With him it would have been a more difficult league for us, more competitive.
      “He is a player that requires a lot of attention and care.
      “Messi is spectacular. It’s a privilege to play with him, he always surprises, he’s from another planet.”
      While the quotes suggest he favours Messi, there is no concrete evidence to prove it, so this goes down as a draw.
      RESULT: Draw
      CARLOS TEVEZ
      Carlos Tevez has partnered both forwards up front during his career
      A FORMER Man Utd team-mate of Ronaldo during some trophy-laden years and a long-serving Argentina colleague of Messi, Tevez knows both stars very well.
      On the debate, he said: “Cristiano always stopped in the gym after training: for him it is an obsession and, being the best in everything.
      “Messi plays another sport. For Messi to score three goals [in any given game] is normal.”
      Much like Semedo, while it feels Tevez would sway towards Messi, he’s not come out and said it just yet…
      RESULT: Draw
      SO WHO IS THE WINNER?
      Lionel Messi takes the win over old frenemy Cristiano Ronaldo, according to those who’ve played with bothCredit: Reuters
      WITH six draws from the 12 players, many were either unsure of who is truly better or unwilling to rock the boat.
      But of the six who did commit to giving an answer, FIVE chose Messi, with just one player picking Ronaldo.
      So that settles it then? Probably not…
      Sir Alex Ferguson overheard criticising Solskjaer for benching Cristiano Ronaldo against Everton in chat with Khabib More

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      Kylian Mbappe offers to QUIT France team if they don’t want him after being made to feel like he was a ‘problem’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has revealed he felt unwanted by France after their Euro 2020 exit.Mbappe’s spot-kick miss sent Les Bleus out of the tournament in a 5-4 shoot-out defeat by Switzerland in the last 16.
      Mbappe has been strongly linked with a move away from PSG to join Real MadridCredit: Getty
      And the striker, who has given the clearest signal yet he wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain after this season, has stirred it up at international level by admitting he will walk if he is no longer wanted by France.
      Mbappe, 22, said: “I have always put the France team above everything and I will always put it above everything.
      “Above all, I never wanted to be a problem but I felt that I was supposedly starting to become a problem and people saw me as a problem.
      “The most important thing is the France team, and if the France team is happier without me, that’s how it is.
      “The message I received was my ego was making us lose, that I wanted to take up too much space, and without me, therefore, we might have won.
      “It’s over now. I have so much love for the France team that I can ignore it all.”

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      Mbappe also said he felt he lacked support from French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet after he was racially abused at Euro 2020.
      But his international team-mate Lucas Hernandez said Mbappe remained “100 per cent integrated” in the France squad during the summer tournament.
      The Bayern Munich defender added: “He wanted to play and win the Euros.
      Messi is reportedly earning £1,000,000-a-week at PSG
      “Elimination was a huge blow to all of us but everyone loves Kylian.
      “Kylian is a huge player. We are all with him and we need him.”
      Meanwhile, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was forced to backtrack after appearing to suggest Mbappe could be heading to the Bernabeu in the January window.
      He said: “What I have said is that we have to wait until next year to have news and that, I always respect PSG, with whom we have a good relationship.”
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      Man Utd’s draw with Everton looks like good result after shock defeats for European giants including SIX leaders losing

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S draw with Everton on Saturday was made to look like a decent result after SIX of Europe’s league leaders all lost.The Red Devils drew 1-1 at Old Trafford to make it four games without a win but Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich were just some of the teams who said: “Hold our beers.”
      Man Utd could only draw 1-1 with Everton at Old Trafford on SaturdayCredit: PA
      But several of Europe’s biggest teams – including PSG – lost at the weekend which made United’s point look a little betterCredit: Getty
      Bayern Munich were beaten 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the BundesligaCredit: Getty
      Anthony Martial scored his first goal since February to put United 1-0 up at the end of the first-half before Andros Townsend levelled with 25 minutes to go.
      Everton had a winner disallowed in the closing stages and United were lucky to come away with a point.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under severe pressure having benched Cristiano Ronaldo and not having won since September 19 – a fortunate 2-1 win at West Ham.
      United sit fourth in the Premier League after the disappointing point but Europe’s big guns made it look like a solid draw.
      Bayern were beaten 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga – their first league defeat of the season.
      Leon Goretzka put them 1-0 up before on the half hour mark before Martin Hinteregger and Filip Kostic’s goals either side of half-time saw the visitors take the points.

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      Bayern remain top but are now level on 16 points after seven matches with Bayer Leverkusen who won 4-0 at Arminia.
      In France, PSG were beaten 2-0 at Rennes.
      Gaiten Laborde and Flavien Tait scored a quickfire double within two minutes of the start of the second-half.
      Neymar was slammed by Le Parisien who gave the Brazilian a 2.5/10 rating.
      And ex-PSG and West Ham ace Edouard Cisse, 43, also tore into him after the defeat – calling the Brazilian a spoilt brat and saying he bosses everyone around.

      LaLiga’s leadership race took a turn as Real Madrid lost 2-1 at Espanyol.
      Raul de Tomas and Aleix Vidal scored for the home side before Karim Benzema’s strike on 70 minutes proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
      Real also stayed top but are now level with city rivals Atletico AND Real Sociedad with just goal difference separating the three who are on 17 points after eight matches.
      Benfica’s grip on the top spot in Portugal’s Primeira Liga got weaker with a 1-0 home defeat to Portimonense thanks to Lucas Possignolo’s second-half effort.
      Porto and Sporting are just one point behind the Lisbon outfit who have 21 points from their first eight games.
      Ajax also lost at home by the same scoreline. Utrecht were their assailants with Dutch left-back Django Warmerdam scoring the winner.
      They have 19 points from their opening eight with PSV now just a point behind them at the top of the Eredivisie, and Utrecht now within two.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Finally, ten-man Zenit lost 2-1 at home to Sochi in the Russian Premier League.
      The visitors moved to within five points of first-placed Zenit who are still four points above second placed Dynamo Moscow.
      According to Reddit user Danny Boy, the odds of the league leaders of Spain, Germany, France, Russia, Portugal and Holland at the weekend were 244,497/1.

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      Micah Richards teases Roy Keane over his love for Man Utd icon’s old Arsenal rival Patrick Vieira More

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      Real Madrid are lining up a shock transfer swoop for Youri Tielemans but Leicester could demand £50m

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      REAL MADRID are said to considering a January move for Youri Tielemans. Reports in Spain claim the Leicester midfielder is attracting interest from Europe’s biggest sides including Carlo Ancelotti’s club. 
      Youri Tielemans is rumoured to be attracting interest from Real Madrid and LiverpoolCredit: Rex
      And Spanish outlet El Nacional says the LaLiga outfit could be open to paying the reported £50million price tag linked with the Belgian.
      The Prem ace has reportedly refused to confirm or deny rumours concerning the renewal of his Foxes contract.
      According to El Nacional, Tielemans said a few weeks ago: “I am open to everything. 
      “The transfer market has just closed, but I want to keep open all the options I can.”
      It is thought Madrid, who play Espanyol later, are eyeing Tielemens as a potential replacement for their midfielder Casemiro. 
      Reports claim the Brazil player, who signed a new contract with Madrid this year, is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino. 

      Tielemans versatility in midfield is said to be a big draw for Madrid.
      The former Monaco star, who notched up six goals and four assists in 38 Premier League games last term, is also reported to be a target for Liverpool. 
      The Belgium international, whose Leicester’s side play Crystal Palace today, has a contract with the Foxes until June 2023.
      Should Tielemans seal a switch to the Bernabeu he would become the third Belgian to arrive at the club 
      Ancelotti’s squad includes former Chelsea stars Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard.
      Tielemans, who joined Leicester from Monaco for a fee of around £40, has made 118 appearances for the club since his July 2019 arrival.

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      Cavani ‘open’ to quitting Man Utd in January amid Real Madrid transfer interest after losing place to Cristiano Ronaldo

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      MANCHESTER UNITED striker Edinson Cavani is considering leaving the club in January, according to reports.The Uruguayan, 34, is out of contract in June and has recently lost his place to returning icon Cristiano Ronaldo, 36.
      Edinson Cavani has lost his Man Utd starting place to Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFP
      According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Cavani is open to quitting Old Trafford in January.
      The forward is yet to complete a full 90 minutes in the Premier League this season and was hauled off after 57 minutes against Everton on Saturday.
      Cavani signed a new one-year deal with Man Utd during the summer and was expected to be the team’s main striker – and wear the No7 shirt.
      But the shock return of Ronaldo has seen him slip down the pecking order and he’s now likely to play just a supporting role – wearing the No21 shirt.
      And Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Cavani on loan in January, giving him the chance to leave Ronaldo’s shadow.
      The LaLiga side are thought to want more firepower up front after failing to sign Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe, 22, during the summer.

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      A six-month loan deal for Cavani would allow the striker to see out the rest of his Man Utd contract in Spain.
      And the forward is reportedly interested in playing in LaLiga before retiring after enjoying spells in Italy, France and England.
      Real are unlikely to offer Cavani more than a six-month deal as they are expected to regenerate their interest in Mbappe.
      The Frenchman is also out of contract in June and Real reportedly want to sign him on a pre-contract agreement.
      Cavani boasts a decent record at Man Utd, scoring 10 goals in 29 games since leaving PSG in August 2020.
      The 123-cap international is one of the most prolific goalscorers of his generation, scoring 370 goals in 629 club appearances.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Edinson Cavani shows off his skills at Man Utd training More

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      Mino Raiola ‘wants to seal Paul Pogba transfer from Man Utd to Real Madrid in the summer’ as Plan B to Barcelona move

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      MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly been offered to Real Madrid by his agent Mino Raiola.The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and it remains to be seen whether he will extend his stay in England.
      France international Paul Pogba is in the final year of his contract at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has reportedly offered the midfielder to Real MadridCredit: Getty
      It had been claimed last month that the World Cup winner is ‘more likely’ to pen a new deal following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.
      But according to Spanish news outlet El Nacional, his agent Raiola is trying to convince Los Blancos to snap him up in 2022.
      They state that the ex-Juventus ace, who can speak to foreign clubs about a summer move in the New Year, is keen to play in LaLiga in the future.
      Barcelona have been linked with securing Pogba’a services, but he would have to take a huge pay cut in order to join the Blaugrana.
      And El Nacional have reported that Raiola has been in contact with the Catalan club’s president Joan Laporta.
      But Barca cannot afford to bring him to the Nou Camp, leaving Raiola to allegedly try and persuade Real to sign the four-time Serie A champion.

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      Paris Saint-Germain are understood to remain keen on Pogba after failing to bring him to Parc des Princes in the recent transfer window.
      But Real are believed to be the frontrunners should the player decide to seek a new challenge away from the Premier League.
      Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in need of new midfielders with Luka Modric in the last year of his deal at the Bernabeu.
      Meanwhile Toni Kroos is tied down until 2023, and Real could decide to cash in on him.
      Should Pogba link up with Real, he could partner French compatriot Eduardo Camavinga, who linked up with the Madrid outfit in August.
      Raphael Varane has urged Pogba to remain with the Red Devils, as he said: “It is of course his decision, but of course I hope he stays here for a long time.
      “He is a fantastic player, so undoubtedly I hope he stays.
      “He did not have to convince me that I should move here, but I talked to him about the club to find out what it is like to be here day-to-day.
      “It was important for me to hear his opinions and thoughts about the club, the team and their ambitions.”
      Man Utd star Raphael Varane discusses his relationship with Paul Pogba More

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      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp shock target to replace under-fire Barcelona boss Koeman after being added to shortlist

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      JURGEN KLOPP has emerged as a surprise contender for the Barcelona job, amid the pressure on Ronald Koeman.The struggling Spanish giants are considering making a change in the dugout with the likes of Antonio Conte and Roberto Martinez linked.
      Ronald Koeman is under huge pressure in the Barcelona dugoutCredit: Getty
      Liverpool boss Klopp is said to be a bold target of the Blaugrana’s in their bid to return to the top.
      According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, via the Mirror, the German is seen as the dream candidate by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
      However, 54-year-old Klopp is under contract to 2024 and settled at Anfield, even partaking in a ground-breaking ceremony for the Reds’ latest stadium expansion on Thursday.
      The knives are out for Dutch manager Koeman following a poor start to the season.
      Having failed to fully threaten in the Champions League or LaLiga last season, his side have won just three of their eight games in 2021-22.
      That includes Wednesday’s disastrous 3-0 hammering at Benfica, following up their defeat by the same scoreline at home to Bayern Munich.

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      Reports in Spain suggest ex-Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo is also on Barcelona’s shortlist, along with club legend Xavi.
      Belgium boss Martinez has already distanced himself from the role, telling reporters that his Catalan roots will not have an impact on his future.
      He said: “There is nothing at all, there are no contacts.
      “A coach should never be emotionally attached to a club or a country or a culture. My wife is Scottish, I’ve played in Wales, I’m Spanish…
      “I don’t follow Barcelona especially. I didn’t even watch them against Benfica – I was at Juventus-Chelsea instead to watch [Romelu] Lukaku.”

      Koeman comments on dismal Barcelona after being battered by Benfica More