Mitro's on fire, England should be terrified!

England should start Palmer vs Serbia & keep Saka on ice

How Man Utd punchline Rangnick has transformed Austria

Yamal can define a generation - the Euros will show why

Italy: The weakest defending Euros champions since Greece!

How many times will England break new Kane rule at Euros?

Transfers LIVE: Man Utd offer £35m for Branthwaite

Magic Musiala & wizard Wirtz light up Euros opener

FIFPRO starts legal action against FIFA over 2025 Club World Cup

Alexander-Arnold in midfield an England risk worth taking

How Ten Hag reacted to five players hitting Las Vegas nightclub

Copa America beware! Messi let off the leash by Argentina

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Argentine superstar the choice of many</li><li>Others favour Portuguese icon</li><li>Legendary playmaker a fan of both</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate: Nigerian showboat king Jay-Jay Okocha explains his pick

The iconic playmaker - who starred for Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton in his playing days, while earning 73 caps for his country – was famed for his ability to get fans off their seats. In more recent times, Ronaldo and Messi have been doing likewise.

WHAT HAPPENED?

They have rewritten the record books between them – earning <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-why-lionel-messi-doesnt-care-eighth-ballon-d-or-inter-miami-battles-man-city-erling-haaland-golden-ball/blt90cf1301d71971a0" target="_blank">12 Ballons d’Or</a> – and are assured of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cristiano-ronaldo-vs-lionel-messi-who-is-the-goat-football-stats-head-to-head-showdown/ual7d33i8hjz14plhwkf2yvkr" target="_blank">standings towards the top of any all-time great list</a>. Okocha is an admirer of both, but admits that they bring different qualities to the table.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Okocha has told <a href="https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/2023/09/01/id-rather-watch-english-premier-league-than-local-football-nigerian-legend-okocha-confesses/ " target="_blank">Capital FM</a> when asked for his take on one of the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-goat-debate-bayern-munich-thomas-muller-picks-winner-explains-choice/blt3ed1f1787d8c6feb" target="_blank">longest-running debates in sport</a>: “I think both of them rightly deserve to be GOATs but I prefer Messi. As for me…I mean…Cristiano Ronaldo is typical of what you can achieve with hard work, but for Messi everything comes naturally…and he works hard as well.”

WHAT THEY SAID

Messi has rediscovered his spark after leaving PSG for MLS outfit Inter Miami, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-marvel-from-thor-wakanda-forever-inter-miami-superstar-new-goal-celebration/bltabab8cd7b8669589" target="_blank">11 goals recorded through 10 appearances</a> while also winning the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">44th trophy of his remarkable career</a>. Ronaldo is also <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-trade-champions-league-trophies-world-cup-win-lie-detector-test/bltb4e3720d312b4a94" target="_blank">going strong at 38 years of age</a>, with the Portuguese netting 12 times through 11 outings for Al-Nassr this season – with those efforts <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cristiano-ronaldo-850th-goal-al-nassr-win-al-hazm/blt581bb7e765b92923" target="_blank">taking him to 850 in total.</a>

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate: Nigerian showboat king Jay-Jay Okocha explains his pick | Goal.com

Nigerian legend and king of the showboat, Jay-Jay Okocha, has explained why he favours Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo in football’s GOAT debate.