Roberto Carlos' bold claim: Why Cristiano Ronaldo outshines Lionel Messi on the pitch"

Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has weighed in on the contentious debate over who is the greatest of all time (GOAT) between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Carlos, who is renowned for his dedication to training and physical fitness, believes that Ronaldo is a better player than Messi due to his professionalism, focus, and motivation.

Both Ronaldo and Messi have been considered two of the best football players of all time, having amassed numerous records and accolades throughout their careers. The debate over who is the better player has divided fans and experts alike, but Carlos' preference for Ronaldo has added fuel to the fiery argument. Carlos explained his position during an interview with Fox Sports in 2017, stating, "When you talk about the Ballon d'Or or any other prize, it's not just any person who votes, it's people who know football, who follow the stats of the players and pick the best in the world." The former Brazil international, who won the 2002 World Cup and three Champions League titles with Real Madrid, praised Ronaldo's commitment to training and improvement, saying, "I watch him train every day, and the way he works is exciting. He wants to improve every day. That's the difference with Messi." Carlos acknowledged Messi's immense talent, describing him as a "phenomenon," but believes that Ronaldo's dedication to his craft gives him an edge over the Argentine superstar. "That side of Cristiano, of training, professionalism, focus, motivation, success...Cristiano has an advantage over all the others," he added. Despite both players entering the concluding phase of their careers, the debate over who is the GOAT continues to rage on, with fans and experts offering differing opinions. Ronaldo, who is currently aged 38, is playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he has scored 12 goals in 12 league matches. Meanwhile, Messi continues to impress for Paris Saint-Germain. Carlos' opinion is not the only one in the football world on the Ronaldo vs Messi debate. Former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has also weighed in, praising both players as the best of their era but ultimately siding with Ronaldo as the GOAT. As the GOAT debate continues to divide football fans and experts, it remains to be seen who will ultimately be considered the greatest player of all time. However, it is clear that both Ronaldo and Messi have left an indelible mark on the sport and will be remembered as two of the best players to ever grace the pitch. Send a message.