Ronaldo Can Win But 'I'll Go With Messi,' US National Team Coach Says

U.S. national team head coach Gregg Berhalter revealed that he prefers Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo.

Recent talk in soccer states that long-time rivals Messi and Ronaldo could wind up playing together in America. According to multiple sources, David Beckham could swing a deal that would land Messi and Ronaldo in Major League Soccer to play for Inter Miami before they retire. In relation to the said reports, Berhalter, the current head coach of US national team and a seasoned MLS coach weighed in on the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate.

In an exclusive interview with the Bleacher Report, Berhalter was asked to answer the question no one has ever found an answer to -- who is the GOAT in soccer: Ronaldo, Messi or someone else?

According to Berhalter, if he wants to win one game, he’ll go with Ronaldo but in terms of overall performance and contributions, he’ll go with Messi.

“If I had to win one game I might choose Ronaldo, but I think that from just his body of work and how he's changed the game and some of his actions and goals, I would go with Messi,” Berhalter said.

Berhalter’s statement resembles the recent take of three-time Ballon d’Or winner Marco van Basten regarding Messi and Ronaldo. According to van Basten, Ronlado is a great player but Messi is “unrepeatable” and those fans who think Ronaldo is better than Messi “don't understand the sport.”

“Ronaldo is a great player. But those who claim that he is stronger than Messi do not understand football or are in bad faith. Messi is unique. Inimitable and unrepeatable. Like him, one every fifty years. As a child, he fell into the pot of the football genius,” van Basten said.

Both “Leo” and “CR7” have set remarkable records in their lengthy and stellar careers. Messi played this Sunday his 43^rd Clasico match to surpass Xavi Hernáncez’s 42. T he Argentine played the duel suspender belt against the Real Madrid in Santiago Bernabéu and exceeded also the 42 of Paco Gento and Manolo Sanchís. The only player ahead of him is Sergio Bouquets who has 44.

Ronaldo on the other hand, vows to play “hundred games more” and break more records for Juventus following his all-time record-equalling 1000 Serie A games, GOAL.com reported.

"As an individual I am happy. I went to Juventus to score goals and do my best and I am very happy. One thousand games means that dedication, hard work and talent pays off. It is not easy to do 1000 games at 35 years old. I'm so happy. It's nice but I hope to play hundreds of games more,” Ronaldo said.