Cristiano Ronaldo has named a player he ranks alongside himself and Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate

The two football icons have always demonstrated an immeasurable amount of respect for each other

As both stars approach the twilight of their careers, they have journeyed to different parts of the

The impact of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on football continues to create a division among fans and experts as they debate who is the superior player.

Their dominance at the highest level of the sport over the past two decades has turned the discussion of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) into a two-horse race.

Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned Zinedine Zidane as the player he believes to be in the esteemed GOAT company alongside Lionel Messi. Photo credit: @AlNassrFC_EN @brfootball
Source: Twitter
After a tumultuous second spell with Manchester United, Ronaldo took charge of the new Saudi Arabian drive, spearheading a growing list of high-profile players heading to the Middle East.

Meanwhile, his eternal rival embarked on the American Dream by swapping Europe for Major League Soccer in the United States, Mirror reports.

Despite their fierce rivalry, Ronaldo and Messi have often expressed mutual admiration and respect. On the occasions where they have been compared, the veterans have not hesitated to pay glowing tributes to each other.

In one such instance, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner mentioned Messi and another player whom he considers among the greatest he has ever seen.

During a controversial interview with Piers Morgan, which played a part in Ronaldo’s departure from Man United, the host inquired about the best player the star had ever witnessed, excluding himself.

In response, as quoted bySportBIBLE, the Portuguese veteran said:
“Probably [Messi], yes. Him [and] Zidane probably – that I have played and fought with.”