Messi vs Ronaldo: Battle of the (aging) GOATS

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Winston Churchill once put it like this: ‘This isn't the end, it isn't even the beginning of the end - but it could be the end of the beginning.’

As a dramatic transfer window closes, it's hard to know exactly where Messi and Ronaldo are in their respective quests for undisputed GOAT status.

Reunited with Neymar in Paris, Messi’s new home is the city of b/romance - and there’s a lot to love about the move. 

The pros: food, sightseeing, and...er...food.

The cons: French football, French people, and France.

Messi made his PSG debut on Sunday - and you could see the existential panic in his eyes: those moments when a great idea ‘sur papier’ suddenly becomes a horrifying reality you can never wake up from.

• ‘I’m a 66th minute substitute?’ 
• ‘I’m wearing number 30?’ 
• ‘French football, French people and France?’

30? C’mon! That’s like the number of a bus to the laundromat. Or a birthday that no one looks forward to. 

And in perhaps the bitterest irony of all, Messi’s first ‘Ligue 1’ opponent was Reims.... 

Literally ‘re-united’ with the Old Trafford faithful on the other hand, Ronaldo’s return to Manchester is a genuine footballing fairy story.

Cristiano will swap the majestic city of Turin for the Brexit-scarred streets of England - and again there’s lots to love about the move.

The pros - …..wait...er...there was something…

The cons - England, the UK, Manchester, Mancunians, continual blustery wind, the rain (NOTE: cut away mid sentence)

Reports have it that Cristiano almost joined Man City - at which point some United fans were already burning their jerseys. 

But a last minute switch kept CR7's reputation intact - so that his number 7 shirt can once again set old Trafford alight rather than smouldering in ashes at the bottom of a Moss Side trash can.

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So is this the end of the beginning for Messi and Ronaldo? Or are we already past that? 

Messi will score goals and win trophies in France, for sure. Anyone can walk into Paris and take over - just look at the history books.

And Ronaldo will shine at Old Trafford - who couldn't with Phil Jones STILL on the roster?

But before they each receive their inevitable US retirement package - oh sorry, I mean MLS contracts - things could still get complicated for Cristiano, and messy for Messi.