Cristiano Ronaldo’s former team-mate prefers to talk about Lionel Messi – with ex-Man Utd & MLS star offering a different take on GOAT debate

Cristiano Ronaldo’s one-time Manchester United team-mate Giuseppe Rossi has great admiration for the Portuguese superstar, but admits that he prefers to talk about Lionel Messi. American-born Rossi - who spent time in England, Spain and the United States during his playing days - has offered a slightly different take on the long-running GOAT debate.

Cristiano Ronaldo's former team-mate prefers to talk about Lionel Messi - with ex-Man Utd & MLS star offering a different take on GOAT debateCristiano Ronaldo's former team-mate prefers to talk about Lionel Messi - with ex-Man Utd & MLS star offering a different take on GOAT debateCristiano Ronaldo's former team-mate prefers to talk about Lionel Messi - with ex-Man Utd & MLS star offering a different take on GOAT debate

New Jersey native Rossi was handed his senior breakthrough by giants in 2004. was on the Red Devils’ books at that time, with CR7 working through the process of becoming a global icon.

Rossi went on to face Messi and Ronaldo in La Liga, before gracing the same MLS system that an Argentine idol now forms part of with Miami. He has seen both of the all-time greats up close.

Ronaldo’s work ethic will always set him apart in that department, with relentless ambition having carried him to the very top of the game, but Rossi believes that eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi conjures up more positive emotions in a global fan base.

Rossi – speaking to Boyle Sports who offer the latest betting – said when asked about two of the best to ever play the game: “It’s all a matter of preference; it’s all subjective (when it comes to the GOAT debate).

“I’ve always admired technical players because that’s the kind of player I was. When you see players who play similarly to you, you admire it, you try to learn from it, and you feel more connected to that style of play.

“I was fortunate enough to play with Cristiano Ronaldo at a young age and also against him when we were both in . Watching him grow and evolve into one of the best players to ever play the game commands a certain respect.

“His style of play is different from mine, perhaps a style I wouldn’t be able to adapt to. Therefore, it feels somewhat distant to me, but there is a definite admiration for his work ethic and how he achieved what he did.

“You can take aspects from both types of players and learn from them, but you feel more attached to what’s close to you. That’s why the way Messi plays, his touch on the ball, his class, and being left-footed (which is great because I was a left-footed player) make you feel that Messi is the player you’d always talk about whenever young players ask about football.”

Ronaldo is still going strong at the age of 40, with a new two-year contract being committed to with side Al-Nassr. Messi is also preparing to extend his record-breaking career, with fresh terms for the South American genius being mooted in Miami.