Saka has been FAILED! Arsenal didn't protect their 'Starboy'

Top 10 Premier League signings of the season so far - ranked

Six Man Utd stars who should be on Amorim's naughty list

Online Soccer Betting: Our 2024 Guide

Salah reigns at Xmas as Liverpool trio send message to FSG

'Who said Messi's better than me?' - Ronaldo reacts to GOAT taunt 

Mac Allister reveals why Liverpool 'not happy' after Spurs win

Ratcliffe makes key Rashford decision after Amorim snub

How long is Arsenal star Saka out for & what games will he miss?

Wrexham slapped with FA charge after huge brawl against Bristol

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi has eight Ballons d'Or to his name</li><li>CR7 owns five Golden Balls</li><li>Gatti favours Portuguese over countryman</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'He's playing country-club soccer!' - Argentina icon snubs Lionel Messi for 'limited' Cristiano Ronaldo in GOAT debate & claims Saudi Pro League is 'tougher' than MLS

<p>For many, especially those in South America, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/goat-mindset-lionel-messi-never-bothered-attitude-great-argentine-superstar-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-cup/blta1e754191ebc3e7f" target="_blank">greatest player to have ever laced up a pair of boots</a>. His exploits, which include a World Cup triumph, are considered to have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/pep-guardiola-goat-debate-lionel-messi-best-football-player-ever-disrespecting-pele-diego-maradona/blt0c0dfba4ad8987ce" target="_blank">cemented a standing at the very top of the global game</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Gatti, though, has questioned Messi’s reluctance to leave Barcelona when operating at the peak of his powers and considers <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wasnt-my-mvp-usmnt-legend-alexi-lalas-reacts-lionel-messi-award-inter-miami-superstar-named-best-mls-2024/bltf4316515654b3054" target="_blank">MLS – where Messi has earned MVP honours in 2024</a> – to be inferior to the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/proud-cristiano-ronaldo-thanks-man-utd-golden-boot-record-al-nassr-superstar-more-goalscoring-history/bltd1a95d73f71bd357" target="_blank">Saudi Pro League that Portuguese superstar Ronaldo currently competes in.</a></p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Legendary former goalkeeper Gatti has told <a href="https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/hugo-gatti-los-mejores-de-la-historia-son-pele-di-stefano-cruyff-diego-nid23122024/ " target="_blank"><em>La Nacion</em></a> of Messi, who remains captain of Argentina at 37 years of age: “Today, he’s already one less. He’s playing country-club soccer in the United States.”</p><p>Gatti added on siding with Al-Nassr forward Ronaldo in the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/many-years-left-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-rivalry-former-usmnt-stars-alexi-lalas-stuart-holden-explain-why-goat-battle-continue-2026-world-cup/bltda9538095c917571" target="_blank">divisive GOAT discussion</a>: “It’s tougher playing there. Everyone plays there. They chase you; they’ll kill you. Cristiano, even limited, is a phenomenon. Limited, he’s better than Messi. And he’s limited because he doesn’t have Messi’s natural talent, but he played for the best teams in the world. Where did Messi play? Barca and the Argentina national team. Messi never challenged himself by playing for other teams, in other countries. And he had the opportunities, you know?”</p>

WHAT GATTI SAID

<p>Messi did <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-experienced-hell-lionel-messi-psg-failing-make-history-france/blt4f8f102bcb47e63b" target="_blank">spend two years with Paris Saint-Germain</a> before heading to America, with it during that time at Parc des Princes that he got to work with a player that Gatti considers to be the best in the world right now – France international Kylian Mbappe. He added: “Did you see what he did in the World Cup final? It was Mbappe against Argentina. He’s a phenomenon. He’s sharp and has Pele’s demeanour. Right now, he’s not doing as well, but what do you expect? Real Madrid is the biggest testing ground in the world.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Mbappe has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/this-time-won-no-lionel-messi-deny-kylian-mbappe-real-madrid-superstar-reacts-lifting-trophy-scene-world-cup-final-nightmare/blt5e30888f9c128cbb" target="_blank">started to find form at Real</a>, with the goals beginning to flow, while Ronaldo is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-meets-santa-claus-portuguese-superstar-awkward-family-father-christmas-cringe-worthy-singalong/bltd680f337dca0ff05" target="_blank">enjoying the winter break in Saudi Arabia</a> and Messi is counting down the days to the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-wants-mls-cup-win-inter-miami-star-vows-come-back-stronger-play-off-heartache-herons-2024/blt2549de8b8cf2103e" target="_blank">2025 campaign with Inter Miami</a> in the United States.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'He's playing country-club soccer!' - Argentina icon snubs Lionel Messi for 'limited' Cristiano Ronaldo in GOAT debate & claims Saudi Pro League is 'tougher' than MLS | Goal.com Australia

Argentina icon Hugo Gatti has explained why he favours “limited” Cristiano Ronaldo over countryman Lionel Messi in the long-running GOAT debate.

&apos;He&apos;s playing country-club soccer!&apos; - Argentina icon snubs Lionel Messi for &apos;limited&apos; Cristiano Ronaldo in GOAT debate &amp; claims Saudi Pro League is &apos;tougher&apos; than MLS