'I was lucky enough' — Real Madrid legend Raul settles Messi vs Ronaldo GOAT debate

Raul Gonzalez is a bonafide Real Madrid legend, and a name synonymous with the Los Blancos success of the late 90s and 2000s.

He scored an incredible 323 goals in 741 games for the Spanish giants, putting him third all-time behind Karim Benzema (354) and Ronaldo (451) – with the Portuguese record almost untouchable.

Raul, who played with and against some of the greatest footballers ever, including Ronaldo, who he played with at the Bernabeu for one season, opened up on the never-ending GOAT debate involving the Portugues star and Lionel Messi.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated [via FourFourTwo], Raul said:

"I was lucky enough to play with Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, and Cristiano but Messi is different.

"He makes everything look so easy, so effortless - even the impossible.

"When you watch him play, it's almost as though you are watching him in the street playing with his friends.

"From the time when I started out, the best players around then were Roberto Baggio and Ryan Giggs."