Cristiano Ronaldo given edge in GOAT debate over Lionel Messi due to 'more variety on his CV' as CR7's journey to the top deemed more 'difficult'

The ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid forward was speaking exclusively to Foot Italia. Baptista praised both Ronaldo and Messi, and shared his opinion that both men drove each other to ever greater heights in their respective careers. Baptista gave the nod to Ronaldo as the GOAT, however, claiming the Portuguese superstar had the more "difficult" path to the top.

Ronaldo announcing himself as the best player in the world at Manchester United, and winning the Champions League with the Red Devils before his many successes at Real Madrid, was more impressive to Baptista than Messi's long tenure with Barcelona. In his eyes, CR7's career path, and his ability to perform in "so many different places" superseded Messi's "natural talent". Both men are still defying Father Time, with Ronaldo on the books of Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr and Messi lighting up MLS at Inter Miami.

Baptista said: "Football fans are always talking about who was the best. But both have done incredible things. If Messi didn’t exist, I don’t think Cristiano would be inspired to achieve what he did. Maybe the other way around, too. Maybe Messi needed that same competition to propel him. I believe Messi has more natural talent, but Cristiano built his career. I believe that both are still doing incredible, incredible work.

"If I had to choose, then I think you need to consider the fact that it more difficult for Cristiano. Cristiano won the best player in the world playing at Manchester United. He won the Champions League playing for Manchester United, which was a little more difficult. Messi, he has my respect, but he played for one club, Barcelona. I would like and would have loved to have seen Messi at many different clubs, to know what he can do. Yes he went to PSG, but it wasn’t really the same thing, and now he is in the MLS. Messi was always with good players, but Cristiano played in so many different places. So for me, what Cristiano was doing was more difficult than what Messi did. Ronaldo has more variety on his CV and I think that he should be applauded for that and rewarded as the GOAT too."

Even with both players in their twilight of their careers, and now plying their trades in different continents, Ronaldo and Messi will be eternally locked together in the hearts and minds of football fans around the world. Regardless of how much longer Messi and Ronaldo will be playing the game, the debate over their rivalry is set to continue for the rest of time.