Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t hesitate when naming the one player alongside Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate

While the pair is almost unanimously regarded as two of the best players in the sport’s history, Ronaldo previously highlighted a third individual he believes stands alongside them in the conversation for the greatest of all time.

During a high-profile TalkTV interview with Piers Morgan in November 2022, Ronaldo made headlines for openly criticizing figures such as then Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, the club’s owners, The Glazers, and former teammates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney.

Yet it was his remarks about long-time rival Messi and his perspective on football’s all-time greats that further fueled discussions.

When Morgan asked Ronaldo about the best player he’d ever seen, excluding himself, the Portuguese star said: “Probably [Messi], yes.

“Him [and Zinedine] Zidane probably – that I have played and fought with.”

Zinedine Zidane is widely regarded as a modern football legend, having guided France to triumph in both the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.

As a manager, he also led Ronaldo to an incredible three consecutive Champions League titles during their time together at Real Madrid.

When discussing Lionel Messi, Ronaldo emphasized that there is no bad blood between them, comparing their dynamic to the camaraderie shared between teammates.

He said: “Amazing player, he is magic. As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years. we share.

“So, I have a great relationship with him. I’m not a friend of his in terms of, what I mean friend is the guy who was with you in your house, speaking on the phone, no, but it’s like a team-mate.

“He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speaks about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they’re from Argentina.

“My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good. What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.”