Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan were involved in a Twitter spat about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday night.Both Messi and Ronaldo have endured frustrating seasons with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, respectively.Messi, 34, has failed to produce his best form since moving to PSG from Barcelona last summer. In 18 league appearances, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored just two goals. He was even booed by PSG’s fans last weekend following the club’s Champions League elimination against Real Madrid.Ronaldo, who turned 37 last month, has enjoyed a better campaign with Man Utd after completing an emotional return to Old Trafford at the end of last summer’s transfer window.In 24 Premier League matches, Ronaldo has scored 12 goals. The legendary Portuguese forward has netted 18 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils this term.However, even Ronaldo was unable to prevent United losing to Atletico Madrid over two legs in the Champions League.MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United complains to Referee Slavko Vincic during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Manchester United and Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford on March 15, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Sir Alex Ferguson's Ronaldo vs Messi opinion from 2015

Just before Man Utd’s Round of 16 second leg against Atletico kicked off, Lineker read Sir Alex Ferguson’s opinion on the age-old Ronaldo vs Messi debate.

Back in April 2015, Ferguson (who coached Ronaldo for six years) said: “People say who is the best player in the world? And plenty of people quite rightly say Messi – you can’t dispute that opinion.

“But Ronaldo could play for Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers… anyone, and score a hat-trick in a game.

“I’m not sure Messi could do it.

“Ronaldo’s got two feet, he’s quick, great in the air, he’s brave – Messi’s brave, of course.

“I think Messi’s a Barcelona player.”

Lineker and Morgan's Twitter spat over Messi and Ronaldo

Lineker tweeted: “This is nonsensical. I know we don’t tend to look beyond these shores very much, and I’m sure Sir Alex is being supportive of one of his own, but even as recently as this summer, Messi almost single-handedly won the Copa America for Argentina. They’re both greats.”

Piers Morgan, who firmly believes that Ronaldo is the greatest footballer in history, replied: “It’s perfectly sensical, Jugs. Messi’s clearly lost his magic since leaving Barca. Ronaldo’s kept it at many clubs/countries incl back at United now. That’s why he’s the GOAT.”

Lineker responded: “He’s the GOAT now? So you’re judging 2 of the greatest players of all-time on how they perform in their mid thirties when they’re both past their best. I don’t care who you or anyone else thinks is better, it’s not important, but a lack of respect for either is totally unwarranted.”

Morgan then said: “Fergie wasn’t disrespectful, he just said Messi wouldn’t  play as well outside of his Barcelona comfort zone, and as we can all now see, he doesn’t.”

To which Lineker responded: “He’s nearly 35. What on earth do you expect. It’s absurd and disrespectful to suggest that Messi in his prime couldn’t perform wondrously in any league in the world.”

Morgan added: “Ronaldo’s 37 and still banging in wondrous hat-tricks. Messi’s 3yrs younger & fading faster than my taste buds after covid - because he’s not got his Barca support blanket. The GOAT debate is over - it’s Cristiano.”

Lineker said: “Players will always be judged on their prime years. By your criteria Maradona would be considered average. I know you’re always texting Ronaldo and desperately want him to like you, but you can do that without disrespecting other greats.”

Morgan replied: “Ooooohhhh, someone’s getting touchy! It’s not my fault Ronaldo’s playing so much better than Messi..  ps For the record, I think Maradona’s the 2nd best player ever - after Cristiano.”

Lineker said: “Watching the game, I think I may have just got a glimpse of your feet  hanging from Cristiano’s shorts.”

Morgan responded: “Mate, when it comes to sycophantic obsequious a***-licking, your fangirl worship of Messi even as he fades into mediocrity is in a class of its own!”

Lineker then responded with a tweet from 2019 where Morgan praised Ronaldo’s abs.

The Messi vs Ronaldo debate will never be settled

In decades to come, football fans will still be arguing over which of the two players was better.

But with time running out for both superstars before they hang up their boots, it’s surely more important that we simply enjoy them both.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 12: FIFA Ballon d'Or nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid smile during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2014 at the Kongresshaus on January 12, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images)

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