Ronaldo is always talking about Messi — Former Arsenal star settles GOAT debate

Villarreal winger Nicolas Pepe made a strong argument for Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate, positing that Cristiano Ronaldo was not on the Argentine international’s level. 

The former Arsenal star is the latest to weigh in on the Messi and Ronaldo debate. The argument is one of the most polarising topics in world football. While many footballers attempt to stay on the sidelines by giving diplomatic responses, Pepe took a bold stance. 

Speaking in a recent interview, Pepe argued that Ronaldo is second to Messi, using an anime analogy. “Cristiano Ronaldo does a lot of interviews, and he talks a lot about Messi, and that's how you see that he (Ronaldo) is number 2,” he said.  

“You know Dragon Ball Z? Vegeta always talked like that (about Goku), and who never talked: GOKÚ. Ronaldo has the same frustration that Messi is always ahead of him.

“In the Messi or Ronaldo debate, I say Messi, if you only look at football properly, forget the stats, all that, Messi is insane. There is no human on earth that can look Messi in the eyes(play like Messi). There won't be another Messi.”

Albiceleste Talk relayed more quotes from the Interview in which Pepe argued that Ronaldo was on the same level as Neymar, not Messi, as the Inter Miami star is superior to other footballers. 

"As a footballer? Messi slaps everyone, he's an otherworldly being, and we'll never see a player like him again. In discussions about Messi and Ronaldo, I say Messi. 

“When you talk about statistics and what each player does, there are those who might say Ronaldo, but if you're following football closely because the experts and everyone in the field, in fact, say Messi. 

"Forget the statistics, forget who jumps high, who shoots powerfully, just focus on the football itself! Messi is a crazy thing. Neymar at the peak of his form looks directly into Cristiano's eyes (meaning on the same level), forget about the statistics."

The journalist asked if that places Neymar on the same level as Messi. Pepe responded, saying, "No, no, he doesn't look into Messi's eyes, Messi gives him two slaps on the face."