Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan did not hold back on Twitter as the duo went head-to-head over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The debate was sparked when Lineker took objection to comments made by Sir Alex Ferguson suggesting that Messi could only perform at his best at Barcelona, while Ronaldo would score goals for anyone he played for. The Scot even cited clubs like Millwall, QPR and Doncaster Rovers as an example.
Lineker wrote: "This is nonsensical. I know we don’t tend to look beyond these shores very much, and I’m sure Sir Alex is being supportive of one of his own, but even as recently as this summer, Messi almost single-handedly won the Copa America for Argentina. They’re both greats."
It wasn't long before Morgan replied, issuing his support of Ronaldo while suggesting Messi has "lost his magic" and referring to Lineker by a derogatory nickname in the process as he defended the 37-year-old five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"It’s perfectly sensical, Jugs. Messi’s clearly lost his magic since leaving Barca. Ronaldo’s kept it at many clubs/countries including back at United now. That’s why he’s the GOAT [greatest of all time]," Morgan claimed. Lineker responded: "He’s the GOAT now? So you’re judging 2 of the greatest players of all-time on how they perform in their mid thirties when they’re both past their best. I don’t care who you or anyone else thinks is better, it’s not important, but a lack of respect for either is totally unwarranted."
Morgan replied by claiming Ferguson's initial comments were justified by Messi's struggling form at Paris Saint-Germain, who were recently dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid. The humiliating nature of that defeat then inspired the PSG home faithful to turn on the Argentine the very next league game.
The former Good Morning Britain host wrote: "Fergie wasn’t disrespectful, he just said Messi wouldn’t play as well outside of his Barcelona comfort zone, and as we can all now see, he doesn’t." Lineker hit back by stating that Messi in his peak would perform at a world-class level in any division. But Morgan aimed to ramp it up a notch with his response by declaring at the end that their could only be one winner in the debate as to who is the greatest of all-time.
He wrote: "Ronaldo’s 37 and still banging in wondrous hat-tricks. Messi’s 3 years younger and fading faster than my taste buds after covid - because he’s not got his Barca support blanket. The debate is over - it’s Cristiano." It is around this stage of the argument things started to veer into personal territory, as Lineker's response included suggestions that Morgan is in constant communication with Ronaldo in a bid to win his friendship and therefore implying he is bias towards the Portugal skipper.
"Players will always be judged on their prime years. By your criteria Maradona would be considered average. I know you’re always texting Ronaldo and desperately want him to like you, but you can do that without disrespecting other greats," the ex-Barcelona striker replied.
The debate raged on until Morgan lost his rag by claiming: "Mate, when it comes to sycophantic obsequious a**-licking, your fangirl worship of Messi even as he fades into mediocrity is in a class of its own!". Lineker swiftly ended things by posting a screenshot of Morgan waxing lyrical over Ronaldo's abdominals during an interview the pair conducted in 2019 while the 37-year-old was still at Juventus and scoring goals for fun in Serie A.
In what is being viewed by many as the beginning of the end of their reign of dominance, both Messi and Ronaldo have seen their respective sides eliminated from the Champions League at the round of 16 stage. Manchester United were knocked out at the hands of Atletico Madrid, who progressed into the last eight after beating the Red Devils 2-1 on aggregate.
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