Liverpool Legend Points Out 'Stupid' Lionel Messi Claim In Cristiano Ronaldo Debate: Report

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has pointed out that Lionel Messi does not need to achieve success in another club in order to be called a greater soccer player than his arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Carragher, who played only for Liverpool throughout his career that spanned for 17 years, insisted that Messi should not leave Nou Camp just to prove his doubters wrong since Ronaldo has been successful in more than one club. After starting his career at Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo has had stints with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus and has won 26 major trophies combined with the four clubs.

“It’s just stupid. It’s absolutely daft. He’s at the top club, he’s the best player there, and he’s the best player in Europe. The best show up against the best on the biggest occasions and that’s what he does so I don’t really listen (to other’s opinions). Fair play to Ronaldo and well done, but it’s not something to criticize Messi for,” Carragher told CaughtOffside.

The former England and Liverpool defender further explained that Ronaldo left Spain because he thought he was always considered behind Messi.

“I think that’s why Ronaldo’s moved. I think he knows that he’s always been seen as just behind Messi, so I think Ronaldo’s quite clever. I can say I’ve won the league in all these countries, been the top scorer in all these countries and these are more strings to my bow. I also think he probably does the opposite of what Messi does to try and paint himself as being slightly different."

"Listen, I don’t think of Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini being any less of a defender because they never left AC Milan. So that’s not going to change me with Lionel Messi not leaving Barcelona. I mean, why you would leave Barcelona?” added Carragher.

Meanwhile, Messi’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2021 season. However, a clause in his current contract will allow him to leave Nou Camp as a free agent at the end of the ongoing 2019-20 season. All the soccer leagues, at present, are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.