Cristiano Ronaldo reckons he is the best to ever play the game, but Lionel Messi is his greatest opponent - according to Piers Morgan.
The new Manchester United signing broke another record over the international break as he became the men's leading international goalscorer of all time with a last gasp brace against Ireland.
The Ronaldo-Messi 'GOAT' debate is one that will rumble on for years to come and will unlikely be settled any time soon.
But it's clear who Ronaldo believes deserves that tag as Morgan, who formed a relationship with the 36-year-old in 2019, opened up on a conversation the pair had over dinner in Turin.
Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi - Who is the greatest of all time? Comment below
However, he also has the utmost respect for Messi as he shocked the TV celebrity by naming his rival as the best he's ever come up against on the pitch during his illustrious career.
Morgan wrote in the Mail on Sunday : "'Who's the greatest footballer you've ever played against?' I asked Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It was 1am on the candlelit terrace of his favourite restaurant in Turin, Italy, where he was still playing for Juventus before his recent sensational decision to rejoin Manchester United.
"It was time for the big question. 'Messi,' he replied, immediately and emphatically.
'Really?' I said, surprised that he would name his biggest rival.
'For sure. He is the best I've played against.'
"Then he grinned. 'But Piers, you are asking me the wrong question'.
'OK. What's the right question?' 'You should just ask me who is the greatest player…'
'I think I know the answer,' I replied, laughing.
"Ronaldo winked and we clinked glasses. He believes he's the best to ever play the game. And I agree with him."
Ronaldo and Messi both shocked the footballing world by moving clubs in the same transfer window.
Messi would leave his boyhood club Barcelona for Paris-Saint Germain before Ronaldo followed suit with a sensational return to Old Trafford.
