For the past few years, soccer fans have indulged themselves in the Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi GOAT debate. While the two are often regarded as soccer's biggest superstars, different personalities and fans have held different opinions.

Ronaldo's former Manchester United teammate and UEFA Champions League winner Anderson recently shared his opinion on this during his recent exclusive with ClutchPoints. “I take Ronaldo. Let me explain it to you.  [Lionel] Messi, for me, is from another planet. He's an amazing talent, but I think Ronaldo because I see Ronaldo playing in Spain, I see Ronaldo play in Italy, I see Ronaldo playing in England.

“Everywhere Ronaldo plays, Ronaldo scores ridiculous goals, wins the league, wins everything. And Messi played on an amazing team in Barcelona. Messi played for PSG; I think he did not do very well at PSG, but I think he did good for PSG. Now playing for Inter Miami. But two players are ridiculously good. It's too different, but I have to stay closer to my friends. And then I take Cristiano Ronaldo,” Anderson shared.

Ronaldo began his career by playing for Sporting CP, following which he enjoyed successful stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United again, and is currently dominating at Al-Nassr. On the other hand, Lionel Messi began his senior career with Barcelona in Spain, before moving to PSG in France, and is now with Inter Miami in MLS.

While Anderson heaped praise on Ronaldo's goal-scoring abilities and dominance, personal achievements speak a different story. Messi has won more Ballon d'Or awards than not only Ronaldo, but any other player in soccer history. In addition to this, Messi also has more major international trophies, carrying Argentina to six titles, including a World Cup, counting the Olympic and youth levels. Ronaldo has three senior international trophies with Portugal.

On club level, Messi has won 40 club trophies with Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami, including four Champions League titles. This is nine more than Ronaldo, who has a total of 31 trophies throughout his career.

Article Continues Below

Cristiano Ronaldo's ex-teammate Anderson talks about Manchester United's locker room culture

In the same interview with ClutchPoints arranged by Swiper Casino Canada, Anderson opened up about the locker room culture he shared at Manchester United with some of the sport's biggest stars.

“I lived with Cristiano Ronaldo one year. Cristiano Ronaldo makes you so comfortable. He looked after Nani and me so much, and Carlos Queiroz also helped us. Rio Ferdinand, [Patrice] Evra, [Wayne] Rooney, [Carlos] Tévez, Scholes, Ryan Giggs, [Edwin] van der Sar.

“I had so much good people in the club. The people always care about each other, or care about … It doesn't matter what. If some players go off the line, the guys push the player back up again. And all the people, I tell you the security as well, from the president, the chef, everyone who worked for the club. Everyone at that time is love. Everyone supports each other,” he shared.

Anderson was a part of Manchester United from 2007 to 2015, where he got to play under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. During his time at Manchester United, Anderson was also able to share the dressing room with some of the greatest players in history, as named above. A defensive midfielder under Sir Alex Ferguson, Anderson also represented Brazil in eight games.