Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed by former Manchester United teammate in Lionel Messi GOAT debate

Cristiano Ronaldo's former Manchester United teammate Kieran Richardson has snubbed his former colleague in favour of Lionel Messi in the greatest player of all-time debate.

The now-retired Richardson played alongside Ronaldo in the Portugal international's first four seasons at Old Trafford. They played more than 40 matches alongside each other during that time.

Richardson went on the play for West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Fulham, Aston Villa and, briefly, Cardiff City after leaving United. The eight-cap England international also went on trial with Spanish side Granada before hanging up his boots when Arsenal legend Tony Adams waltzed in at the club.

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"They're both the GOATs, but, if I had to pick one, then I have to pick Messi, even though I know Ronaldo, I've played with Ronaldo, I love Ronaldo," Richardson said when asked to choose between the two on The Steven Sulley Study.

"They're both amazing; they're both GOATs. When they pass away, they'll still be talked about forever, but just because Messi got that World Cup.

"It's a massive thing having that World Cup, because even before Messi had the World Cup, everyone was saying: "yeah, but he hasn't won it yet. He can't be the best of all time because [Diego] Maradona won it; Pele won it'.

"Now there is no question; he's won the pinnacle any footballer would want to win. Even though they get their own accolades, World Player of the Year so many times, but as a footballer, when you're thinking as a kid, you want to win a World Cup, That's all you want to win."

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