Paper Magazine looks to have entered the never-ending debate as to who is the greatest of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The New York-based magazine did this by getting the Argentine captain, who is gearing up for the upcoming World Cup, to pose with actual goats.
In the standout photo shoot, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner can be seen holding a baby goat while an adult version could be seen sporting Leo's traditional Adidas boot. The photos quickly circulated on social media and it did not take too long for this stunt to backfire on Twitter and Facebook alike.
Messi for @papermagazine. pic.twitter.com/VWL3kADQoK
— CLUB 1984. (@Club1984_) June 4, 2018
.@papermagazine made Messi do a photoshoot with actual goats. pic.twitter.com/Xbi6rDAXnJ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 4, 2018
While some did not shy away from labeling Leo as the greatest of all time, others were quick to troll the Barcelona icon. As expected, pretty much all of the jokes had to do with his Real Madrid rival.
First came the pro-Messi tweets
— infosmessi (@INFOSMESSl) June 4, 2018
Messi the GOAT - The Greatest Of All Time
@adidasfootball @brfootball pic.twitter.com/YM5D6ilKfK
Image: Messi with his new World Cup boots. pic.twitter.com/EcHhy4Nu2r
— Barça Centre (@barcacentre) June 4, 2018
Lionel Messi finally pictured with his family.
— SPORF (@Sporf) June 4, 2018
@PaperMagazine pic.twitter.com/hmy54Ff5vF
Messi family pictures. pic.twitter.com/3AAKDT8QZk
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 4, 2018
But then the Cristiano fans hit back with trolls
Messi hugging Ronaldo, lovely pic.twitter.com/ars1vLAESr
— Judas (@MourinhoMedia) June 4, 2018
Messi and Ronaldo in one picture. Legends! pic.twitter.com/yacaND6Ogj
— Iseunife The First (@Shawnife_) June 4, 2018
Still wondering how Messi looks taller than Ronaldo in this pic. pic.twitter.com/M0UIbGKvDy
— Idris (@Crhedrys) June 4, 2018
Messi and Ronaldo did a photoshoot pic.twitter.com/lnanGNBPk5
— ᴛʜᴇ ᴇǫᴜᴀʟɪsᴇʀ (@dilichi_) June 4, 2018
La Pulga, however, insisted that he does not see himself as the best footballer to have graced the beautiful game. Speaking to Paper, he said: "I don't consider myself the best. I think I am just another player."
His fans definitely do not agree with that statement. One thing that is irrefutable is that both Messi and Cristiano are out of this world. Both will be in Russia hoping to make a mark in possibly their last World Cup.
