Cristiano Ronaldo is “the GOAT”, according to Tom Heaton, with the Manchester United goalkeeper explaining why his former team-mate tops Lionel Messi.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Heaton was at Old Trafford for both of Ronaldo’s spells at Old Trafford, with the veteran shot-stopper seeing the Portuguese superstar arrive in England as a starry-eyed teenager back in 2003. He had made his own return to Manchester by the time the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rejoined the Red Devils in 2021.

WHAT HEATON SAID ABOUT RONALDO

Heaton is well placed to pass judgement on what makes Ronaldo so special and has told MUTV why, in his eyes, the evergreen frontman sits above eternal rival Lionel Messi on any list of all-time greats. He said: “In my opinion, the GOAT is Cristiano. Having been here with him the first time and then seeing how he improved, how he got better and made himself into the best player in the world. I’d just signed by the time he came back for his second stint, and seeing the same drive, hunger, being first in the gym, same appetite to work for me keeps him at that level. What he’s achieved has been incredible.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo hit 118 goals for United during his first spell with the club, winning the Premier League title, Champions League crown and the first of his Golden Balls. His second stint delivered a further 27 efforts in 54 games, but he was released in November 2022 following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised prominent figures from the club’s past and present.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Ronaldo is still going strong at 38 years of age, with his remarkable strike rate being maintained at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr, while Messi is now starring in MLS with Inter Miami and is looking to add the FIFA Best Award for 2023 to the eighth Ballon d’Or that he has already collected this year.