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 for over 15 years, and will likely continue long after they both retire. While eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi has never involved himself in the debate, Ronaldo has often claimed that he is the best player in the history of the sport over his eternal rival and the likes of Pele and Diego Maradona.

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."

Inter Miami star Messi is set to line up for Argentina in a World Cup qualifying clash against Uruguay on March 21. Al-Nassr talisman Ronaldo, meanwhile, will captain Portugal in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final tie against Denmark a day earlier.