Football News

Mason Greenwood joins GOAT debate: Man Utd star picks between Ronaldo and Messi

By Ben Green

Published: 18:13, 22 July 2021 | Updated: 14:29, 19 September 2022

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has given his two cents on the GOAT debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

It is a narrative that often dominates water cooler talk betweens fans of the sport: Messi or Ronaldo? And Greenwood has now weighed in with his own assessment, believing the Barcelona legend is a cut above the former Manchester United forward.

Given Greenwood’s current trajectory, the 19-year-old could yet go on to have a similar impact to Ronaldo’s at Old Trafford, in which the Juventus marksman won three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League, but he has thrown his weight behind Messi for GOAT bragging rights.

The teenage talent highlighted Messi’s recent Copa America win with Argentina as a key reason why the Barca star is unrivalled, with Lionel Scaloni’s captain ending a protracted wait for that ever-elusive trophy at international level, joining Ronaldo in that department, who won Euro 2016.

During a Q&A session on Man Utd’s official website, Greenwood responded to the question ‘Messi or Ronaldo?’: “For me, it’s always got to be Messi. He’s just on another planet.

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“Ronaldo is obviously amazing, a physical, great athletic footballer, but to do what Messi does at his size, what he’s done for Barcelona and winning that trophy [Copa America] for Argentina, he is just on another level.”

O Fenomeno another hero

Greenwood went on to discuss some of the players that influenced and shaped his own game during his formative years, namedropping Ronaldo Nazario as a forward who helped develop his appreciation for skill and artistic flair.

He added:”My favourite skill move was the stepover and I still use it to this day.

“It’s my favourite skill move. I used to watch the Brazilian Ronaldo, as he would always pull one out on the goalkeepers and defenders.

“I used to practice at the parks and stuff and used to do it in training sessions, then that would lead on to games. Now, it’s just stuck with me, it’s a little skill move that I practice.”

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