Gary Lineker calls for change in debate about Man United star Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

16.02.2022 - 14:05 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Gary Lineker believes fans should 'probably lower expectations' of Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi.

The pair have been battling for more than a decade at the pinnacle of world football, cementing their place in history for their multitude of accolades and achievements on an individual, club and international level.

But with the former Madrid and Barcelona attackers now in the twilight of their careers — despite still regularly performing at the top-level — Lineker feels the expectations of the two greats should be brought down a couple of levels.

Messi missed a penalty for PSG in their Champions League last 16 first leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, just as Ronaldo was scoring an all-important goal for United in their 2-0 win over Brighton. But the United striker has come in for plenty of criticism of late too, having suffered his longest goal drought in 13 years.

Lineker tweeted: "Messi is 35 in June. Ronaldo has just turned 37. We should probably lower our expectations. They still do wonderful things, but not even these footballing Gods can defy father time forever."

He responded in relation to a tweet that read: "I love Messi and Ronaldo but they both look so desperate to do something atm [at the moment]."

Is Lineker right about Messi and Ronaldo? Leave a comment below.

Both Ronaldo and Messi completed moves away from Juventus and Barcelona respectively in the summer, with Messi's departure from the Nou Camp sending shockwaves through football in his emotional exit.

Ronaldo made a stunning return to United in the summer and his strike against Brighton was his 15th in 27 appearances back at Old Trafford.

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