19 November 2023 , 20:03
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It is a debate that has raged on within the walls of football for the best part of two decades and Steven Gerrard is the latest to have his say.
Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Some feel that your answer on this question alone can serve as the foundation for your entire outlook on football. The dyed-in-the-wool Messi hardcore will be disappointed by Gerrard's recent remarks, where he seems to suggest that in his eyes, Ronaldo conquers all.
While waxing lyrical about the Saudi top flight given his status as manager of Al-Ettifaq and claiming that the division is on everyone's lips at the moment, Gerrard praised the influence of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. "The arrival of ‘The GOAT’ as we call him, Cristiano, him arriving in January obviously was a huge signing," Gerrard told the . "He still had a lot of football to offer.
"So, from afar, for six months, I was looking in at Cristiano Ronaldo’s results, at the league, watching some games and watching some highlights. I think from that moment, the league around the world had become a very popular talking point for everyone. After Cristiano’s arrival, even more big-name signings, talents and skill sets were joining the league."
The comments are undeniably flattering and will go down very well at Ronaldo HQ. However, Gerrard is currently singing a very different tune to the one he belted out as recently as April of last year.
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Back in Messi's Paris Saint-Germain days, Gerrard was asked by Gary Neville on the where he stood on the 'GOAT' debate, at which time the Liverpool legend was still in charge of Aston Villa and a Saudi switch was not on his radar.
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Steven Gerrard has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player of all time (Getty Images)Gerrard was firm in his view that Messi had the edge on Ronaldo, telling Neville: "I think they’re both operating on a different planet to every footballer that’s ever lived, probably besides your Peles and your Maradonas.
"But Messi, for me, is more of a team player. If he’s in on goal, he’ll look for a pass as well as obviously posting really, really good numbers individually as well."
Since those comments were made, Messi has won the World Cup and snubbed a move to Saudi in favour of life Stateside with Inter Miami. In contrast, Gerrard and Ronaldo have both set up shop in the Middle East, so it isn't exactly difficult to determine why the Liverpool legend may now be singing the former Real Madrid man's song.
Gerrard's assessment isn't exactly wrong, a number of high-profile stars have followed Ronaldo out to Saudi Arabia. However, most, much like Ronaldo, are nearing the end of their playing days at the top level.
If the Saudi Pro League is currently viewed as somewhat of a retirement home from for players, it's hardly a hot-bed of up and coming managerial talent and some have questioned Gerrard's decision to take what is just his third top job in such a league.
It has hardly been a dream start to life in the Middle East for the 43-year-old, who has overseen just six wins from the opening 13 games of the season. As a result, Al-Ettifaq currently sit seventh in the table 13 points behind league-leaders Al-Hilal and nine adrift of Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
Discussing the size of the task that awaits him, Gerrard was keen to stress that it is not something that could be completed any time soon. "It’s not something you fix in a week, a month, or six months," he added.
"It’s a project to build on the pitch, which is obviously the priority, but also a lot of things needed to change around it to give the first team the support it needs."
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