Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi ‘not even close’ says Gary Lineker as England hero gushes over Barcelona icon
MATCH OF THE DAY host Gary Lineker believes Lionel Messi is a far more superior player than Cristiano Ronaldo and the debate isn't even close.
The former England international - who has made no secret of his love for the Barcelona legend - believes the Juventus marksman is "not even close" to being on the Argentinian's level.
Between the two players, they have won 11 Ballon d'Or awards, as well as nine Champions League titles.
But while Ronaldo has won trophies in England, Spain and Italy, Messi has spent his whole professional career at the Nou Camp.
Writing for , Lineker said: People get very tribal in all sorts of ways in life, and Messi versus Ronaldo is one of them.
"Often the choice seems to come down to whether you support Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus or whoever, which is fine - I understand that.
"I am a huge fan of Ronaldo too, but if you're talking about the best player ever, there shouldn't even be a debate that it is Messi.
"That's just my opinion, but it's not even close for me."
WALKING A FINE LINE
Lineker - who won the Copa del Rey and European Cup Winners' Cup during his three-year spell at Barca - then stated that the fact Ronaldo has been successful all over Europe should not be a factor as to why some regard him as a better player to Messi.
He added: "Messi has obviously played in some great teams during his time there but, whoever has been alongside him, his amazing numbers have carried on exactly the same.
"He has proved the doubters wrong, time and time again.
"Even for the past couple of seasons, when the Barca team has not been anything like as strong as it was in the past, his contribution has not dipped. In fact, they have been a real mess without him.
"It's rare for any player to stay with one club now, in the way Messi has with Barcelona, let alone someone who moved there from a different country like he did when he left Argentina for Spain, aged 13.
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"But, if he had left for any reason, Messi would have been accused of being disloyal. He cannot win, basically.
"And why would he want to move anyway? He started with one of the greatest clubs in world football.
"Leave Barca and you only move sideways at best. You are never going to move up."