Not Messi or Ronaldo: Ex-Arsenal star picks Real Madrid superstar for best player

Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil gave an unusual answer when he was asked his preference in the age-old debate of who the best player is between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The duo have enjoyed the most lengthy consistent spell at the top of the game, in which they pushed each other to unprecedented heights. 

Hence, they have been regularly compared through the years, with fans and football personalities regularly pulled into the debate. 

The Germany international is the latest to be put on the spot, as he was asked to pick who the superior player was between Messi and Ronaldo, effectively asking who the greatest of all time is. 

It would have been understandable had Ozil gone for Ronaldo, as he shared a dressing room with the Portuguese from 2010–2013. He also shares a similarity in play style with Messi, but Ozil named neither in his answer to the question. 

Instead, he mentioned Turkey international Arda Guler eliciting an explosion of laughter in the press room. 

Meanwhile, Guler has previously named Ozil as a reference of his. The World Cup winner has now returned the favour with his latest shout-out.