No Messi, no Ronaldo! Newcastle star reveals unusual GOAT choice
FT Desk
- 11 Nov 2023 12:45 GMT
- 3 min read
Newcastle United ace Kieran Trippier has revealed the surprising identity of the ex-team-mate he believes has a claim to the coveted GOAT title.
The tag of all-time greatest is a matter of fierce debate in the world of football.
In the modern game Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have both made a case to be known as the best ever, winning 13 Ballons d'Or between them in a spell of dominance that lasted over a decade.
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Looking further back, Argentina great Diego Maradona and Brazil legend Pele are also considered worthy candidates.
But Trippier raised a few eyebrows when he put forward his own choice for the honour.
Who is the greatest?
Asked to name his nomination for GOAT by Sky Sports' Youtube channel, the defender replied: “I’m going to put down [Mousa] Dembele.
Of course you could say Messi or Ronaldo, but this guy, when I played with him at Tottenham was the GOAT.
“Honestly, in training, in games, what he could do with a football was frightening.
Everytime people say who’s the best player you’ve played with, he’s one of them for sure."
Dembele hung up his boots at the end of the 2021-22 season after finishing his career with three years at Chinese Super League team Guangzhou.
Prior to that move the Belgium international made 250 appearances for Tottenham over seven seasons, winning plaudits for his elegant midfield play.
He also helped Belgium to third place in the 2018 World Cup and played a total of 82 times for his nation, scoring five goals.
