Piers Morgan has stuck by his contention that Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player of all-time, despite Lionel Messi ’s fabulous performance against Croatia.
Messi moved onto five goals and three assists in this World Cup by helping send Argentina into the final with a 3-0 win on Tuesday night. The 35-year-old smashed a penalty into the top corner to open the scoring before producing some trademark magic to turn Josko Gvardiol inside out and set up Julian Alvarez’s second goal.
He is now Argentina’s all-time record goalscorer at World Cups and will have a chance to lift the trophy, following the disappointment in the 2014 final. Ronaldo will not have such an opportunity, following Portugal’s exit at the hands of Morocco in the quarter-final and, at 37, his chances of returning in 2026 appear slim.
That doesn’t matter to Morgan, who remains absolutely steadfast in his backing of the former Manchester United forward. Following Messi’s standout performance on Tuesday night, the familiar GOAT debate raged on social media.
BBC presenter Gary Lineker asked: “Is there still a debate? Asking for a goat.” TalkTV host Morgan replied in a quote-tweet: “There isn’t. It’s Ronaldo.”
Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling wrote: “So where are we now @piersmorgan in the Ronaldo v Messi debate?” He replied: “I think Cristiano Ronaldo’s the best ever, Maradona 2nd, Messi 3rd (possibly 4th actually, behind R9).”
Stelling added: “Come on Piers I know you are never wrong but admit you are this time !!!” He wrote: “I did admit I was wrong once.. but turned out I was mistaken.”
Morgan has long been known as a firm supporter of Ronaldo’s case in the age-old debate. But an old tweet from the media personality shows he hasn’t always taken that standpoint.
“Messi’s the greatest footballer ever, and @Cristiano’s the 2nd best. Any further debate is superfluous - I have spoken.” When that was put to him by presenter Dan Walker, Morgan dismissed it, saying: “That was 11 years ago mate.”
HAVE YOUR SAY! If Lionel Messi wins the World Cup, will the GOAT debate with Cristiano Ronaldo be over? Comment below.
It was Morgan’s interview with Ronaldo which saw his time at Manchester United come to an end last month. Ronaldo spoke to Morgan on TalkTV, saying he felt “betrayed” by the club, who did not allow him to leave in the summer transfer window, while also criticising manager Erik ten Hag and other figures in the hierarchy.
Ronaldo is now a free agent and facing a crucial period ahead of the January transfer window. Although he wants to remain in Europe to further his legacy in the Champions League, the only offers he has received so far are from Saudi Arabia.
