On-loan Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo is better placed than most to settle the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo debate that has dominated sport for two decades.
Regarded as two of the best, if not the greatest, players in history - while winning 12 Ballon d'Or trophies and countless team honours between them - Messi and Ronaldo continue to have immense followings who claim their idol to be top of the pile. It is a 50-50 question that has no definitive answer.
Having played alongside Messi at Barcelona and Ronaldo at Juventus, though, Arthur can offer unique insight on the two record-breakers. For good measure, the central midfielder has also mixed it with Neymar for Brazil and over the last few months with Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah.
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So who is the best? Arthur did not directly address that conundrum, but the Juventus man has been able to shed light on what makes Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar so good.
Arthur was pressed on the three global superstars during an interview with GOAL. He said: "Neymar, CR7 and Messi, all three have something in common. They have a winning mentality.
"Whether it's a training session, a friendly or a final, the three always go out to kill. Even if they played against their mother, they don't care.
"Their mentality is tremendous. Neymar is skilled, he feints, he dribbles. Cristiano scores a goal wherever he is, he scores a goal wherever because he has incredible ability and Messi, well, Messi is an ET. An alien."
Arthur, 26, continued: "One thing out of the ordinary. I had an opportunity to play with all three and see them up close. Each one with their characteristics, some dribble more or finish better, but I prefer their mentality. All three are out of the ordinary in that regard."
Having signed on loan for Liverpool during the summer window, Arthur has only made one senior appearance for the Reds. He missed a large chunk of the season through injury.
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