NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has joined football’s long-running GOAT debate, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi competing for that title.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Giannis, who hails from Greece, is a big soccer fan and has never shied away from his support for Portuguese icon Ronaldo – going as far as imitating his famous ‘Siuuu’ goal celebration at times.

With that in mind, it comes as little surprise to find that he considers the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward to be the best player of all-time.

WHAT GIANNIS SAID ABOUT RONALDO

Milwaukee Bucks talisman Giannis has said on his personal YouTube channel when discussing his favourite stars from a different ball game: “You have unbelievable players.

Luis Figo, Nani, and Deco, who were growing up, were one of my favourite players. But at the end you gotta go with the GOAT, the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo. Any sport he’d play, he’d probably be good at it.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo certainly boasts the jumping power and relentless drive to be the best that suggests he could have followed Giannis down a path towards basketball immortality, had he chosen to pursue a different sporting career.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO & MESSI?

Giannis added on Ronaldo: “He’s so competitive, so driven. Been able to play at such a high level at 37-38 years old. It’s very very impressive.”

CR7, who is showing no sign of slowing down at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, has hit 50 goals for club and country in 2023 and will be lining up against eternal rival Messi when his current employers face MLS outfit Inter Miami in a friendly date at the Riyadh Cup on February 1, 2024.