Gary Lineker has opened up on Cristiano Ronaldo unfollowing him on Instagram, with the former England striker giving his opinion

Gary Lineker believes Cristiano Ronaldo unfollowed him on social media due to his assertion that Lionel Messi is the superior footballer. The Messi versus Ronaldo debate remains one of football’s most enduring rivalries.

The two icons have amassed 13 Ballon d’Or titles between them, with Messi claiming eight and former Manchester United star Ronaldo collecting five throughout their illustrious careers.

Lineker, who spent considerable time at Barcelona, has consistently maintained his view that Messi is above Ronaldo as the greater of the two.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Ronaldo has repeatedly insisted that his accomplishments surpass those of Messi. It is this conviction that Lineker believes prompted the Al-Nassr star to unfollow him on social media.

Speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, Lineker said: “He doesn’t like me very much, Cristiano Ronaldo. I didn’t upset him by anything I said about him.

READ MORE: Man United handed Marcus Rashford transfer boost after agent dinner meetingREAD MORE: Barcelona file new explosive UEFA complaint after Marcus Rashford rant and player fury

“Other than the fact I’m honest and think overall Messi’s a better football. He unfollowed me on Instagram. I’ll get over it.”

After the remark drew laughter from co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker joked: “I will always like him. I’ve met him a lot of times. I know he’s got the hump with me. But that’s OK. And on that note… Please Cristiano… give me a call. Let’s be friends again.”

For Ronaldo, however, the question of who betters Messi is no laughing matter. During a Spanish television interview in February last year, he elaborated at length on why he considers himself the superior player.

Ronaldo told LaSexta TV: “I’m the best player in football history. I haven’t seen anyone better than me in football history, and I’m saying truth from my heart.

“I’m talking about numbers. I think I’m the most complete player to have existed. In my opinion, I think it’s me. I do everything well in football: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I’m fast. I’m strong.

“One thing is taste. If you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that, but saying Ronaldo isn’t complete … I’m the most complete. I haven’t seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart.”

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

Following his achievement of becoming the highest goalscorer in history after netting twice in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 win over Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League last year, he further remarked: “Who’s the best goal scorer in history? It’s about numbers. Full stop.

“Who’s the player in history who’s scored the most goals with their head, their left foot, penalties, free kicks?

“I was looking the other day, and not being left-footed, I’m in the top 10 goal scorers with their left foot in history – and with my head and with my right foot and penalties. All of them.”

Gary Lineker has made a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo should sue Ruben Amorim after the England international’s resurgence under Michael Carrick

Gary Lineker has humorously suggested that Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo might consider taking legal action against former manager Ruben Amorim.

The England international’s career has seen a resurgence under Michael Carrick, after struggling for playing time under the Portuguese coach. The ex-Match of the Day host made the light-hearted comment following another standout performance from Mainoo in a United victory, as United extended their unbeaten run to four games against Tottenham Hotspur.

The 20-year-old was on the verge of leaving Old Trafford in search of regular first-team football, but is now close to securing a new contract at the Theatre of Dreams, having reaffirmed his value to the team.

READ MORE: Gary Neville shares what Man United have told him about next manager amid Michael Carrick claimREAD MORE: Michael Carrick’s tweak spotted for Man United win over Tottenham that ‘worked perfectly’

Lineker suggested that Mainoo’s absence from the starting line-up had been harmful, even jokingly proposing that the midfielder could contemplate suing Amorim.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he quipped: “Do you know what? If I was Kobbie Mainoo – and I say this in jest – I’d be thinking about whether I should sue him [Amorim] or not.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

“He’s taken a year out of that kid’s career. This kid is a wonderful footballer.”

“God, he makes it look so easy. He wants the ball, he receives it with anyone around him and he turns, always makes the right decisions, he’s graceful.

“I mean, come on! He’s been absolutely detrimental to his career.”

Lineker is convinced that the midfielder will secure a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad if he maintains his form under Michael Carrick.

“If he doesn’t make the World Cup squad… and I sense he probably will if he can stay fit and if he keeps playing because he’s just a seriously good footballer,” the former Match of the Day presenter added.

“I know his brother got in a bit of trouble for saying on the T-shirt, “Free Kobbie”, but he has absolutely got a point, his brother. What was he (Amorim) thinking?!

United are firmly in control of Champions League qualification following their 2-0 victory over Spurs, which allowed them to retain their position amongst the league’s frontrunners.

Chelsea trail by just a single point after defeating Wolves 3-1, but there was encouraging news in Manchester on Sunday when Liverpool failed to protect their one-goal advantage against Manchester City, suffering a 2-1 defeat that leaves them five points adrift of United.

The heat is rising on Arne Slot’s team as they face the prospect of slipping further behind in the battle for a top-four finish, with a midweek trip to Sunderland awaiting them – a side yet to taste defeat on home soil this season.