Ronaldinho refused to name Lionel Messi as outright GOAT and claimed three players are better

Ronaldinho refused to name Lionel Messi as the outright GOAT of football as he named not one but THREE players who need to be in the conversation.

Messi enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Barcelona, winning 35 trophies during his legendary spell at the Camp Nou - including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

He moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he improved his career trophy haul, winning three domestic titles in France.

Now at Inter Miami, he inspired his side to their first-ever trophy, claiming the Leagues Cup.

And Messi has international honours to his name, too, having won the Copa America and World Cup with Argentina.

The 36-year-old also has an unprecedented eight Ballon d'Or titles as he won last year's prestigious individual award ahead of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

Ronaldinho played alongside Messi at Barca, and they weren't just teammates but also friends.

But the legendary Brazilian doesn't like to compare the Argentine with other legends from the past.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca after Messi’s sixth Ballon d’Or triumph, Ronaldinho said: "I’m glad Messi won the Ballon d’Or. We were also friends during our time at Barcelona.

“But I don’t like to compare, and I find it difficult to say he is the best of all time.”

Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho during a Barcelona game. Image: Getty

Ronaldinho, however, said that he could see Messi as the 'best of his era' ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former PSG and AC Milan star then put forward Diego Maradona, Pele and Ronaldo Nazario as potential GOATs of football.

"There was Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo... it’s hard to say that Messi is the best throughout the history of football," he added.

"I can only say he is the best of his era."

Messi was full praise for Ronaldinho when discussing his time at Barca.

"Ronaldinho was responsible for the change in Barca. It was a bad time and the change that came about with his arrival was amazing," he said.

"In the first year, he didn’t win anything, but people fell in love with him. Then the trophies started coming and he made all those people happy.

"Barca should always be grateful for everything he did."