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Gary Lineker and Jamie Carragher in row over Lionel Messi error - 'We don't have autocue'
Jamie Carragher has defended Sky Sports' Monday Night Football after criticism from Gary Lineker.
Jamie Carragher has hit back at Gary Lineker after the Match of the Day presenter dug out two mistakes from Sky Sports' Monday Night Football on social media. Former Liverpool defender Carragher and colleague Gary Neville became embroiled in an intense debate on last night's show over who is the Greatest Player of All Time (GOAT), Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, following CR7's remarkable goalscoring return to Manchester United.
Neville, who of course played with Ronaldo at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, argued that CR7 was the greatest player within the history of the game and he was adamant that there were stats to prove it.
Yet as the graphic displayed the pair's career honours, eagle-eyed fans on Twitter spotted one clear error.
The figures displayed that Messi was yet to win an international tournament, compared to Ronaldo's two triumphs at Euro 2016 and in the 2019 Nations League.
That is of course incorrect following Messi's Copa America triumph with Argentina this summer against Brazil.
Lineker, who is one of Messi's biggest fans having previously played for Barcelona, was quick to point out the mistake on Twitter.
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To be fair, it’s such a long time since Messi led Argentina to victory in Copa America, they’re entitled to forget it. ������ pic.twitter.com/zh9TysLsnE
— Gary Lineker ������ (@GaryLineker) September 13, 2021
He wrote, accompanied with a sarcastic emoji: "To be fair, it’s such a long time since Messi led Argentina to victory in Copa America, they’re entitled to forget it."
Liverpool fan page Empire of The Kop then replied: "Ridiculous isn't it - and one of the international trophies they've included for Ronaldo is the Freakin' Nations League. Yet couldn't include the Copa America. Nobody mentioned it either."
Lineker then added: "Four Champions League as well, not three," with a hand over face emoji.
Carragher, who was not even tagged or included in the conversation, then jumped in to fight Sky's corner.
"We made a mistake on a graphic over Messi’s international honours," Carragher said.
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"It happens a lot on MOTD. Check Messi’s record in 2006 in the CL, he didn’t play 1 min after 1st KO round, so we counted it as 3.
"We don’t have autocue on MNF so I’m sure you’d also make a mistake now & again."
Lineker was quick to respond: "Yes, we do, and when they happen, they’re quite rightly pointed out."
Carragher was not backing down and he then invited Lineker onto the show to have a go at presenting without autocue.
"Not by anyone on MNF, as we realise it’s not easy. I know you spend the majority of your time on twitter but just look after MOTD & we’ll do the same on MNF," he added.
Not by anyone on MNF, as we realise it’s not easy. I know you spend the majority of your time on twitter but just look after MOTD & we’ll do the same on MNF. If you ever want to come on with no autocue you’re welcome.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) September 14, 2021
You seem to be picking fights with everybody these days. I hope you’re alright, Jamie.
— Gary Lineker ������ (@GaryLineker) September 14, 2021
"If you ever want to come on with no autocue you’re welcome."
Lineker then questioned Carragher's recent behaviour, writing back: "You seem to be picking fights with everybody these days. I hope you’re alright, Jamie."
To which Carragher responded: "I’m fine Gary, just sticking up for our stats guy. Appreciate your concern."
The feud was then however peacefully ended by Lineker, who wrote: "Good man," with a thumbs-up emoji.