Newcastle United’s winger Harvey Barnes recently shared his view on football’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT) player during an interview with GOAL, naming Lionel Messi for the title. This admission comes after his father, Paul Barnes, mentioned a few years ago that Harvey had shaped his playing style after Cristiano Ronaldo.
Paul Barnes had previously disclosed on TalkSPORT in 2020 that his son had a particular admiration for the Portuguese winger. Therefore, it might come as a surprise to some that despite Harvey Barnes’ purported admiration for Ronaldo, he declared Lionel Messi as the best player of all time.
This declaration is unexpected due to the longstanding rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, which has captivated the football world for much of the 21st century.
Both Messi and Ronaldo, legends in their own right, have vied for and earned numerous individual and club accolades over the years, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Back in 2020, Barnes was just beginning to make a name for himself as a 22-year-old winger for Leicester City. His impressive performances led to Newcastle United’s acquisition for £38 million in the summer of 2023.
Since joining the Magpies, Barnes has appeared in only eight games, scoring two goals and providing one assist. However, his progress was interrupted by an injury in September 2023, and he returned to the pitch on February 1 after missing 27 games for Newcastle United this season.
