The Messi/Ronaldo Debate Has Been Settled Once and for All

One of the most ferocious debates in the soccer world has been who is the greatest—Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Both players have played more than 1,000 games over their careers and have scored a phenomenal amount of goals in the process as well as set up hundreds more for teammates.

Argentine star Messi has become the first player ever to score in every round of the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, and two goals in the final against France left him on seven goals for the tournament and only beaten to the coveted Golden Boot award, by France's Kylian Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick in the final.

Meanwhile, Portugal striker Ronaldo may have had an early return home after his team was knocked out in the round of 16. However, he has led the Portuguese to a triumph in the European Championships in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.

Messi inspired Argentina to win Copa America in 2021, defeating Brazil 1-0, so many were torn as to who is the greatest of all time or GOAT—Messi or Ronaldo?

With another illuminating display in the World Cup final, many believe that this debate is finally over and that Messi has done enough to be hailed as the best ever.

The 35-year-old had previously said that the final would be his last ever World Cup game and there has been a determination by Argentina that he went out at the top by lifting the trophy.

Despite Ronaldo scoring 819 goals to Messi's 791, Messi has been declared the winner of the most hotly contested debate in soccer.

One Messi fan declared on Twitter: "Now people won't have to compare Messi and Ronaldo, the goat debate have settled. There can only be one goat and that is Messi."

Another added: "Lionel Messi > Cristiano Ronaldo. The debate has been settled tonight. #FIFAWorldCup"

A third shared a photo of Messi and tweeted: "Since this world cup has settled the saga btw Messi and Ronaldo on whom is the best btw both of them, I hereby present to you and the world the best player on this planet. Messi!!!"

Another soccer fan believed that there should be no more discussion, tweeting: "The debate about messi and Ronaldo ends today! If I hear anybody on this TL talk about that comparison again, we will have issues. It's now settled!!!"

While a fifth tweeted that the answer has been there for all to see: "Messi v Ronaldo debate gets settled today. It has been Messi all this time."

Settled or not, the debate will no doubt continue as despite being a winner being declared, there will be many who will still argue that the other should be given the title of GOAT.

One of Ronaldo's biggest supporters, TV presenter Piers Morgan, stoked the fire once again by tweeting after Argentina's win: "Yes, I agree that settles the debate once and for all... @Cristiano is the 🐐."

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