It’s 2019 and we’re still fiercely debating whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is the better footballer.When will it end?The truth is, the arguments will continue long after both players have retired. They’re two of the greatest footballers of all time, playing in the same era, and both have millions of fans across the world. In the age of social media, of course Messi v Ronaldo is still the biggest debate in football.Messi’s hardcore fans were provided with more ammunition on Monday night as their hero won FIFA’s The Best award in Milan. This is the sixth time Messi has been voted the world’s best following wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.The Barcelona superstar beat Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk to the prestigious individual accolade.

The outcome sparked a Twitter spat between Gary Lineker (a fully-fledged member of the Messi fan club) and Piers Morgan (who now loves Ronaldo even more after recently interviewing him).

Morgan started by tweeting a photo of Ronaldo alongside the caption: “In 2019..
One footballer won 2 domestic & 1 national titles, & became 1st to 100 wins & 125 goals in Champions League, 1st current player to 700 official goals & 1st to win Premier League, Série A & La Liga. Clue: it wasn't Lionel Messi who just won FIFA Best Player.”

Erm… think you’ll find it was, Piers.

This tweet prompted a response from Lineker, who fired back: “Stick to anything but football. Ronaldo is a wonderful footballer, but Messi’s numbers this year are superior. His play is on another level. He too won a double. Just because you interviewed him doesn’t make him better. 🙄“

Lineker’s tweet has attracted significantly more retweets and ‘likes’, suggesting most football fans are in agreement with the former England striker.

Piers isn’t one to back down, however, and he responded to Lineker’s tweet: “Ronaldo's won titles in the world's 3 toughest Leagues & won the Euros with Portugal. Messi's only won in Spain & never internationally. Stick to whining about Brexit.”

Lineker then made it 2-0 by tweeting: “The award is for the best football player. You think loyalty to one club should count against a player? Absurd.”

Piers then decided to get personal in order to score points: “Ah yes, the value of loyalty.
Which of your 5 clubs were you most loyal to, Jugs?”

Lineker replied: “It’s not about me, Tubs, and the same applies to Ronaldo, but you can’t use the fact that Messi has stayed loyal to one club against him.”

Well said, Gary.

To criticise Messi for staying loyal to Barcelona is, quite frankly, absurd.

Ronaldo deserves credit for conquering three European leagues but Messi’s commitment to Barça can’t be used to take anything away from his illustrious career.