Lionel Messi is the undisputed GOAT of football in the eyes of many fans after long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr was confirmed.

Footy fans think Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia has settled the GOAT debate for Lionel Messi (Image: Getty Images)

Lionel Messi has been told he is the “clear GOAT” after Cristiano Ronaldo officially joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo, 37, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal to move to the Middle East, where he will earn roughly £175million-a-year – the largest salary in football history. But some fans think the move has tarnished his legacy compared to Messi, 35, who won the World Cup with Argentina earlier this month.

One tweeted: “Really spent his whole career fighting to be considered the potential GOAT… only to go and ruin his legacy in Europe, move to Saudi farmers league and see Messi confirmed as the actual GOAT, all within a six month period.”

A second echoed: “Left Manchester United for a new challenge in Saudi Arabia, Messi is the clear GOAT.” A third argued: “Messi always was the best and when it came to the crunch time, this just shows the difference between them.”

“This gotta be the most brutal end to a rivalry in sports history,” commented a fourth, while another said: “One goat won the World Cup and the other ended in the Saudi league. All these Ronaldo fans that laughed at Messi for playing in Ligue 1. Why are you so quiet? The debate was never a debate.”

Do you think the GOAT debate is now settled? Let us know in the comments section.

Ronaldo has officially joined Al-Nassr on a two-and-a-half year contract (Image: Twitter/@AlNassrFC)

Despite seeking Champions League football, Ronaldo insisted he is “thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country”, adding: “The vision that Al-Nassr has is very inspiring. I’m very excited to join my teammates, and to help the team to achieve more success.”

But his previous comments about how he wanted to finish his career have come back to haunt him.

Speaking on the Jonathan Ross Show in 2015, he said: “In my mind, I want to finish in the top level. I want to finish with dignity in a good club. That doesn’t mean going to the USA, Qatar, or Dubai, is not good. But, I do not see myself [there].”

 

Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/