Lionel Messi told the one reason why Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT as former Man Utd team-mate admits superstar 'couldn't head the ball' when he arrived at Old Trafford

For over 20 years, two all-time greats have battled for the right to be billed as the best to ever do it. For many, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi - as the most decorated player in history - tops that chart. Others favour Ronaldo, with the Portuguese having worked his way to the summit, rather than benefitted from seemingly God-given talents.

Old Trafford academy graduate Simpson falls into the latter of those two camps. He got to watch Ronaldo up close as Premier League giants United transformed him from a wiry, show pony of a winger into arguably the finest goalscorer that world football has ever seen. That was not an easy path for CR7 to tread.

He has, however, been driven by an insatiable desire to succeed since bursting onto the scene as a fleet-footed teenager. Ronaldo is still going strong with Portugal and in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Nassr, with a new contract in the Middle East set to take him beyond the age of 42.

Simpson remains in awe of all that Ronaldo has achieved, with relentless dedication to his craft having ensured that a standing among the immortals will forever be enjoyed. Speaking courtesy of William Hill, Simpson told GOAL: "That’s the best thing about Ronaldo, he adapts. He adapted at 18/19, he adapted at Real Madrid, he adapted Juve. He’s always adapting. He’s adapting now in Saudi, he’s adapted with Portugal. That’s why, for me, he is the best player in the world.

"I don’t think - no offence to Messi, he’s an unbelievable talent, but he’s never really had to adapt all these different parts of his game. Ronaldo, when he first came [to United], couldn’t head the ball! Now he’s probably the best header in the world - up there as a No.9. Honestly, it was a joy to be around him for a few years and see what he’s gone on to do."

Ronaldo has happily billed himself as the GOAT, telling La Sexta of why he sits above the likes of Messi, Diego Maradona and Pele: "I think I'm the most complete player there has ever been. That's my opinion. It could be a question of taste but I think it's me. I do everything in football. I head well, I take set pieces well, I shoot well with my left foot, I'm fast, I'm strong, I jump.

"Taste is one thing, saying this, that or that, whether you prefer Messi, Pele or Maradona, I hear it and I respect it but to say that Cristiano isn't complete is a lie. I'm the most complete. I don't see anyone better than me and I tell you that with all my heart."

Simpson believes that Ronaldo can extend his record-shattering career for some time yet, with there still notable individual targets for him to hit. The ex-United, Newcastle and Leicester defender said: "I don’t think you can write him off. As long as he is scoring goals, as long as he doesn’t get any injuries, then it wouldn't surprise me because it’s him. I know he wants 1,000 goals. And I think he wants to play with his son.

"Playing with your son, that’s probably one of the biggest targets that you can go for once you have won everything. Sharing a pitch with your son must be some feeling. You look at those targets. He does set targets and you look at those - 1,000 goals and play with his son - does he do those and think ‘right, I’ve done it all now’? I don’t know where you go after that. He’s just a phenomenal person, player. What he’s done for the game, it’s unbelievable."

While waiting on 15-year-old Cristiano Jr to catch him up and step out of Al-Nassr’s academy system, Ronaldo is chasing down more major honours in 2025-26 and is expected to grace next summer’s World Cup - as he attempts to emulate Messi by landing a global title.