JJ Watt has sided with Lionel Messi in a GOAT debate between the football icon and NFL legend Tom Brady, with Thierry Henry in full agreement.
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Brady won seven Super Bowl ringsMessi is eight-time Ballon d'Or winnerAmong the best in their professionsWHAT HAPPENED?
Ahead of the Super Bowl extravaganza in Las Vegas, ex-Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive end Watt – who is now an investor at Premier League side Burnley alongside his former USWNT star wife Kealia – was asked to pick between all-time greats from different forms of football.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Brady is considered to be the best to ever do it in American football, with seven Super Bowl rings to his name, while Argentine superstar Messi has eight Ballons d’Or and a World Cup triumph on his glittering CV in soccer circles.
WHAT JJ WATT SAID ABOUT MESSI & BRADY
Pressed by on whether he would rank Messi above Brady, Watt said: “How many Super Bowls does he have? I do have say Lionel Messi is Lionel Messi. What an unbelievable talent. I do play a little bit of both sides of the fence now with the Burnley connection. I’ll give it to Messi.”
Former Arsenal striker Henry, who worked with Messi during a trophy-laden stint at Barcelona, agreed with that assessment as the Frenchman said: “I played with the big man. I give it to Lionel.”
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Ex-New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brady is now involved with Birmingham City after heading into retirement, while Messi is plying his trade in the United States and will be wowing American audiences again in 2024 as he takes to the field with MLS outfit Inter Miami.