Cristiano Ronaldo's GOAT claim backed by Carlos Alcaraz as tennis star incredibly leaves Lionel Messi out of his top-five greatest footballers list

Roanldo versus Messi is a debate that has been fought by football fans over the last 15 years and a debate that will continue to go over the next few decades as well. While the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has never involed himself in the debate, Ronaldo has often claimed that he is the best player in the history of the sport over the likes of Pele, Diego Maradona and Messi.

Spanish tennis star and Real Madrid fan Alcaraz has now seemed to back Ronaldo's GOAT claims as he named the five-time Ballon d'Or winner first in his list of the 'five greatest footballers of all time. The four-time Grand Slam winner named Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Ronaldinho and Neymar Jr. alongside Ronaldo on his list; however, surprisingly, he left Messi off.

While Alcaraz's list did draw criticism from fans, the Spaniard later cleared up that he had simply forgotten to name the Argentine World Cup winner and a number of other players. Alcaraz wrote on Instagram: "Can’t believe I said those 5 forgetting Messi and few more. I could say 5 different right now."

The Spanish tennis star has often been spotted visiting the Spanish national team's matches, and it is a possibility that he could be present at one of La Roja's World Cup qualifiers over the next fortnight, as he will have some free time after losing in the Indian Wells semi-final on Sunday.