Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's former teammate 'ends' GOAT debate with Ballon d'Or point

Few names in soccer can give a definitive answer in the GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo .

The rivalry between the pair has formed constant and passionate back-and-forth between fans for over two decades focused on who really is the greatest of all-time.

With both sides of the argument deeply entrenched in their positions, as the pair approach the final years of their respective careers, with Messi in the USA and Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

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Few are qualified to make definitive call on who the is better player, based on the limited number of combined teammates, but former Argentina star Angel Di Maria falls firmly into that category.

Di Maria starred alongside Messi for club and country, winning a Ligue 1 title together at PSG in 2021/22, alongside an incredible three successive international titles with Argentina.

He played five seasons with Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2015, with a La Liga and UEFA Champions League title won together, and he is clear on who is the best.

"At the end of the day, the best player is the one with the most Ballon d'Or awards, and Leo has eight. So for me, there's a certain gap between him and Cristiano", as per quotes from Daily Mirror.

Messi reclaimed his Ballon d'Or crown in 2023, on the back captaining Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory at the end of 2022, to extend his haul to an incredible eight trophies.

Ronaldo is the second-most successful player in the award's history, with five wins, but Di Maria's point makes a strong case in the GOAT battle as Messi prepares to play on until the 2026 World Cup.