Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has insisted that Lionel Messi is not the best footballer in history.
Messi scored the 800th goal of his professional career against Panama on Thursday and he is now one short of the 100-goal mark for the national squad.
The Argentine phenomenon became the second-ever player to reach 800 goals, 30 goals behind his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Having led Argentina to victory at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup in December, many football fans and pundits have touted him as the greatest of all time.
But the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is yet to convince the Italian tactician, who has named three football greats who are ahead of Messi.
“Messi the best in history? He’s a great player but I can’t say who’s been the best,” Ancelotti was quoted as saying via GOAL.
“There have been so many wonderful players… Maradona, Di Stéfano, Cruyff.. I don’t know.”
Louis van Gaal is among a number of high-ranking members of the football fraternity who have now delved into the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate.
Speaking on the legendary duo, the former Netherlands coach heaped praises on the two iconic superstars as the best players of their era.
Van Gaal, 71, then disclosed his preference for the Portuguese legend in the GOAT debate.
And the big question, Messi or Cristiano? The best players of this period are Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Choosing between them is difficult,” Van Gaal told Onda Cero, via Sportskeeda.
Gary Cahill speaks on GOAT debate
Elsewhere, former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has weighed in on the Ronaldo versus Messi debate but struggled to choose the better player.
Cahill’s indecision looks quite honest as the two are close first and second in most football metrics and hard to separate.
The two are defying age and going strong. Both scored freekicks for their countries, Argentina and Portugal, in their last international games against Panama and Liechtenstein.
Heinze snubs Messi in GOAT debate
Sports Brief earlier reported that Gabriel Heinze snubbed Messi in the GOAT debate and instead went for Portugal International Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former Argentina international played with Ronaldo for three years at Manchester United and with Messi in the national team but ignored his compatriot.
The 42-year-old said Ronaldo could not get better as he is already next to God in his abilities.
Source: SportsBrief.com