Javier Mascherano boss bites back at Cristiano Ronaldo's GOAT claim and explains what reveals what makes Inter Miaim star Lionel Messi unique

After Al-Nassr star Ronaldo declared he was the greatest player of all time, his old playing rival Mascherano has bit back at the Portuguese. The Inter Miami boss also explained how Messi is allowed to roam free at the Major League Soccer side.

He told reporters: "These are opinions. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for Cristiano, and there's no need for me to analyse his opinion. That's what he believes. I also have my own opinion, which is not the same as his."

On Messi's role at Miami, he added: "It would be disrespectful to tell a player like Messi where he has to receive the ball, someone who has managed so well throughout his career the fact of finding space and where to move.

"We try above all to ensure that the team doesn't take up those spaces for him, which I think is the most important thing when you have a player like Messi: that the team frees up certain spaces for him to move around in so that he can find that freedom. And from there, he makes us play. He's someone who sees football in a very special way, he sees it differently than everyone else."

The GOAT debate will continue on well after Ronaldo and Messi retire. Many believe the ex-Manchester United star tops the pile but many others are adamant that nobody has done it better than the former Barcelona ace. Either way, these are two all-time greats and they will be remembered for many decades to come.

Aside from the GOAT debate, Messi's Miami take on Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday.