"I have never seen anything like Messi" - Ex-PL coach settles Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi GOAT debate with straightforward claim

Former Watford FC manager Quique Flores has given his two cents on the GOAT debate, saying that he has never seen a player as exceptional as Lionel Messi. The Messi-Ronaldo debate has been a long-standing and seemingly unending discussion in football.

Quique Flores is currently a free agent at the moment, as his managerial contract with Sevilla ended in June 2024. The Spaniard has managed a host of football clubs, including Getafe, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, and Espanyol.

In an interview with Diario de Sevilla, he was asked to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Flores responded:

"I have a very clear idea of my world team. Alfredo [Di Stéfano] is my godfather and one of the best in the world, but I didn't live through those times. I've been following football since Pelé's last steps and I've never seen anything like Messi."

This wasn't the first time that the Spaniard threw his weight behind Lionel Messi over his Portuguese rival. He told Sport Illustrated a few years ago:

"Messi is the best player in history. There are few sports people who have made me sit down on the sofa just to watch them play. Messi is one of those. I have sat to watch Messi, Ronaldo 15 years ago, Michael Jordan, Maradona, sportsmen whom to me seem different."

"I'm not going to debate over players. Cristiano Ronaldo is in the top ten, among the best, but if Cristiano Ronaldo did not exist now, there would be no debate. Ronaldo is in the top ten."

Diego Simeone has weighed in on the Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo debate

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has also given his opinion on the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate.

Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo caused Simeone’s side a lot of problems during their days in La Liga. However, unlike others, the Argentine manager gave a nuanced answer when he was quizzed about who he thought was better.

Speaking to MARCA, he said:

"I would choose Messi definitely, without any doubt. Yes, I said it, but the conversation was between friends talking about football. I wasn't talking about who is the best in the world, I just meant that for a normal club, with normal players, Ronaldo would probably fit in better, but with Messi, surrounded by great players, he's still the best in the world."

In another interview with MARCA, the Atletico Madrid boss said:

"What I consider is that in a team with fewer solutions, Ronaldo is a better fit because he provides many solutions. For a team which focuses on football, Messi is much better. We are talking about very fine margins of how a team plays. Cristiano can decide a game in a different way, he doesn't need ten attacks. He scored two headers against us and we were out."

He added:

"Both need a team but the differences are very small Lionel, in an attacking team always plays better. The other [Ronaldo] can win a game in two actions, he simplifies the situations Messi is mesmerising because he plays elaborate football."

Lionel Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards, while Cristiano Ronaldo has won the title five times.