Nigeria legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has waded into the long-standing debate on who is the greatest footballer of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking in a latest interview on the Obi One Podcast, the former Bolton Wanderers midfielder chose Argentina's Lionel Messi over Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite describing Ronaldo as a special player and a great goalscorer, Okocha believes Messi is from another planet, someone who was born to play football.

"Messi for me. Ronaldo is special, but he's a goalscorer like Haaland.

"Messi is on another planet. He was born to play football. I think Messi would get ill if he didn't play football," Okocha said.

Messi has clinched the prestigious Ballon d'Or award for a record eight times, as against five by his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

WDN