The last legend to betray Messi, he chose Cristiano for this reason

Graeme Souness is beginning to reconsider whether Cristiano Ronaldo might be a better player than Lionel Messi. Ronaldo has more than 700 career club goals, with over 100 goals for United and Juventus, plus 450 for Real Madrid. His rival Messi sits just behind on 691, but has played less games. The vast majority of his goals came at Barcelona.

For Souness, the long-term success of the pair puts them above anyone else in football history: “I've always leant towards Messi. Those two are the best ever. I played against Maradona, but longevity comes into it.” The former Liverpool midfielder went on to discuss how Ronaldo may have overtaken Messi in recent years.

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He said, “Ronaldo has done it in the big leagues. Messi has huffed and puffed in France and obviously he's done it in Spain and the Champions League. But Cristiano's done it in three leagues now. Spain, Italy and England, whereas Messi, OK he's having a good year this year, but he's only really done it in Spain.”

While Ronaldo is ahead on goals for now, his beloved Champions League record may be in danger. The Portugal man has 140 goals in the UCL but is not playing in the competition this year, while Messi is just 13 behind and could play another 10 European games this season. We should consider ourselves lucky to be alive at such a time.

It is about longevity

The debate is alive and well even as both players reach the tail of their careers. Time does not seem to stop tongues from wagging. They have chased each other since 2008. Will they continue to do it into their 40s. With neither player having suffered a career-threatening injury such as a ruptured ACL or achilles, who is to say it is not possible?