Gary Lineker has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo stopped speaking to him after the former footballer claimed that Lionel Messi is a superior player. The 64-year-old broadcaster, who hosted Match of the Day for decades, made the admission during an appearance on the inaugural episode of Season 8 of The Louis Theroux Podcast.
The GOAT Debate That Ended a Friendship
Lineker, a former England striker, explained that the Portuguese superstar took offense when he stated that Messi is the greatest of all time. Since then, Ronaldo has unfollowed Lineker on social media and ceased all communication. 'Ronaldo gets annoyed, he doesn't speak to me anymore. We used to get on all right. And then suddenly, you know, I was interviewed or something and asked, you know, who's a better player? Well, Messi. Then he doesn't like you anymore,' Lineker said.
Lineker's Defense of His Opinion
Despite the fallout, Lineker insists his comments were not intended as a slight against Ronaldo. He emphasized his admiration for the 41-year-old forward, who has enjoyed a glittering career at clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United. 'I always feel bad because people have a go at me and say, 'oh, you don't like Ronaldo' — it's not that I don't like Ronaldo. I absolutely think he's an incredible footballer, but there's no argument about who is the better footballer. Anyone that understands the game will see that,' Lineker stated.
He added: 'I've got so much admiration for Cristiano, because he's so driven and his career has been so successful and he's scored so many goals. In many eras, he'd be the best player of his time. But the fact that he's actually putting the same breath and lots of people do make the comparison is a huge compliment to him, really, of what he's achieved. Because he hasn't got the ability that Messi has. No one has. But it's not an insult to Ronaldo to say that.'
The Rivalry That Defined an Era
The debate over who is the better player between Messi and Ronaldo has long divided football fans. The two superstars rose to prominence early in their careers, but their rivalry intensified when they led Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, during one of the most competitive periods in La Liga history. Their head-to-head battles produced some of the greatest moments in modern football, with each player setting numerous records and winning multiple Ballon d'Or awards.
Lineker's Departure from BBC
During the podcast, Lineker also discussed his departure from the BBC last year, describing how his 'marriage' to the corporation had started to 'run out of love.' The conversation touched on various aspects of his career and personal life, offering fans a rare glimpse into the mind of one of football's most respected pundits.
The Louis Theroux Podcast is available on Spotify and other podcast platforms.
