Endrick: Messi is a great player, but I'm a fan of Ronaldo; Pele is the goat

Brazilian wonderkid Endrick is the latest to give their verdict on the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate, as he prepares to play against the latter for the first time.

The Palmeiras striker made his debut for Brazil in a 2-1 loss to Colombia on Thursday, and is expected to feature against Messi's Argentina at the Maracana on Tuesday.

Endrick, 17, will join Real Madrid in July 2024 - where Ronaldo cemented his legacy as arguably the club's greatest ever player, scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances.

So it's perhaps no surprise that the Brazilian has declared himself to be 'more of a fan of Ronaldo' - though he has called Messi 'the best in the world'.

As per ESPN, he said: 'Messi is a great player, but I'm more of a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo.'

It was his remarkable piece of skill though that left fans in awe, with many describing the trick as 'cold'

He added: 'Messi is phenomenal. He's very good, the best in the world again.

'I just want to enjoy the moment of being able to play against him, being in the same stadium as him, looking at him up close.

'I only saw him in video games. Now I'm seeing Messi up close. It's going to be wonderful.'

Endrick though doesn't consider either Ronaldo or Messi to be the greatest footballer of all time.

He added: 'Pele is the King. There is no one who will come close to him.'

Los Blancos confirmed the signed of Endrick for around £51m in December, but can only move to Europe when he's 18.

After Brazil's World Cup qualifier with Argentina, Endrick will return to Palmeiras for the final few matches of the 2023 season.

His side are currently top of the table, but second placed Botafogo have a game in hand and are just two points behind.