"We'd say: 'Alright guys, only God can help us now!" - LaLiga star makes Lionel Messi claim when asked about Messi-Ronaldo GOAT debate

Former Valencia defender Eliaquim Mangala believes current football fans are fortunate to have witnessed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play in the same era. Mangala was asked to choose between Messi and Ronaldo in the football GOAT (greatest of all time) debate in the French podcast Rothen s'enflamme.

Replying to the question, the French defender recalled his time at Valencia and how the team prayed before facing Lionel Messi. He said (via CenterGoals on X):

"When we played against Messi, 'we'd say, only God can help us now!' Messi was unplayable and made everyone else shine."

Mangala, who also played for Manchester City and Everton, later praised Ronaldo, saying he was an example to young players and deserved the GOAT status.

"I was a fan of Ronaldo at Manchester United, and since then, his game has evolved. That doesn't mean he doesn't deserve the GOAT title, because he's an example for all young players," he added.

The Frenchman concluded by refraining from making a clear pick, saying:

"For me, this debate about who is the GOAT, we just need to say that we were lucky to have had 2 players of very high level over a very long period."

Now in the twilight of their respective careers, Lionel Messi plays for Inter Miami while Cristiano Ronaldo represents Al-Nassr. Meanwhile, Eliaquim Mangala has been without a club since July this year. He last played for Portuguese side Estoril.

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Arsenal star picks Chelsea icon over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion - Carabao Cup Fourth Round - Source: Getty

Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze recently revealed that he preferred watching former Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard over the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Speaking at the GOAL's Beat Mode On podcast, the Englishman said:

"Eden Hazard was my favourite player to watch. You had Dinho (Ronaldohinho), Neymar (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo... these guys, you know. Eden Hazard, man."

Explaining the reason behind his admiration for the former Belgian attacker, Eze noted that Hazard expressed himself with his style of play. He added:

"Freedom. Freedom. Freedom, He done what he thought was the right thing in that moment. He's not thinking, he's just expressing himself. And you can tell he enjoys... he enjoyed being effective as a player, but also his style of playing football, So, yeah, for me, that's my guy."

Known for his creativity and dribbling, Eden Hazard was undoubtedly one of the best players in the world during his time at Chelsea. However, following his move to Real Madrid in 2019, his career was marred by injuries, eventually leading to his retirement at the age of 32.