Die-Hard Real Madrid Fan for Life, 37-Year-Old Rafael Nadal Dishes Out Lionel Messi Verdict as He Refuses to Let Go of His Love for Cristiano Ronaldo

Tired of the tennis G.O.A.T. debates? Well, the soccer ones aren’t any less relentless. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the sport for the last decade and their debate never ceases to end. Experts from the entire sporting world have often come together to drop their opinion on the soccer G.O.A.T. debate.

Recently, Rafael Nadal had his say in the Messi-Ronaldo debate. Nadal, regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time is also an ardent Real Madrid fan. With Ronaldo being a Real Madrid legend, one must believe that the Spaniard sided with the Portuguese, right? Well, let’s find out.

Rafael Nadal has his say on the soccer G.O.A.T. debate

Nadal has been spending his time off in Greece on vacation at the moment. He often bumps into his fans there and doesn’t usually refuse to take pictures. A few fans gathered around him for a picture recently and also asked him, who he prefers between Messi and Ronaldo. Nadal replied instantly, “Messi is better, but I am a Madrid fan.”

Nadal was brutally honest in the reply. A Madrid fan is usually expected to side with Ronaldo in this debate, not just for the Portugesse’s heroics in Madrid but also for the fact that Messi is an FC Barcelona legend and they happen to be Madrid’s arch-rivals. However, the Spaniard showed no bias in acknowledging Lionel Messi as the greatest player of all time.

This was not the first time when Nadal showed his admiration for Lionel Messi. A few months ago, the Spaniard showed his humble side in order to acknowledge the Argentine.

READ MORE: ‘For an Athlete of Your Size to Say This’ – Lionel Messi Responds to Tennis Star Rafael Nadal’s Comments

Rafael Nadal’s humble gesture towards Lionel Messi

Both Messi and Nadal were among the six men nominated for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award. However, Nadal was heavily impressed by Messi’s heroic World Cup campaign towards the end of 2022. Messi won the Player of the Tournament award after scoring in every single knockout match.

After the nominations were out, Nadal said on his Instagram “An honor to be nominated again for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year… But… This year… Let’s go Leo Messi, you deserves it.”

Despite having his associations with the rival club, Nadal has always been honest and unbiased with his takes.

Who is your G.O.A.T. in soccer? Messi or Ronaldo? Do let us know in the comments.

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