Roy Keane has insisted that he would pick former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi “every day of the week.”
Messi and Ronaldo’s fierce on-pitch rivalry has sparked a long-running debate over who is the better player and who is the ‘GOAT of football.’
Fans, pundits, legends and former and current players have offered their two cents on the heated discussions surrounding Messi and Ronaldo.
Keane holds Ronaldo in high regard and played alongside the Juventus superstar when he was snapped up by United in 2003 from Sporting CP.
The Red Devils legend celebrated his 50th birthday on Tuesday, with Gary Neville asking him 50 quick-fire questions for Sky Sports’ The Overlap YouTube channel.
When Neville asked Keane for his verdict on the Messi vs Ronaldo debate, the 50-year-old Irishman immediately responded: “Ronaldo. Every day of the week.”
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Keane previously backed Ronaldo over Messi when he was a pundit for ITV during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“I think there has been a great debate about him [Ronaldo] and Messi, but over the last six months, I think he’s on a new level — Ronaldo’s out there on his own,” he said at the time.
“It’s not natural ability, as brilliant as he is, it’s sheer hard work. He’s got a lot of courage, he’s brave and the guy is a genius.
“I think his form over the last few months I’d have him above of Messi.”
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| Credit: PA |
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| Credit: PA |
During the Q&A with fellow United legend Neville, Keane revealed that he believes Argentine legend Diego Maradona is the best player of all time.
The former United captain admitted: “Diego Maradona. I thought he was brilliant.”
Keane, who left Old Trafford in 2005, also told Neville that Paul Scholes edged out Nicky Butt as the best player he ever played alongside in his glittering career.
“Because I played with them in the middle of the park… Nicky Butt or Paul Scholes,” he said.
“Probably Scholes because he had a goal in him.”
Featured Image Credit: PA/The Overlap