Micah Richards and Thierry Henry kick soccer balls into the Bellagio fountains after debating with JJ Watt who’s the ultimate GOAT between Tom Brady and Lionel Messi

Ex-soccer players Micah Richards and Thierry Henry were involved in an intense GOAT debate between Tom Brady and Lionel Messi with former NFL pros JJ Watt and Nate Burleson as the quartet also kicked soccer balls into the fountains of the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Hours before the start of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium – home of the Raiders – Richards and Henry – two ex-Premier League stars – as well as Watt – an ex-defensive end and NFL three time Defensive Player of the Year – and Burleson – a former wide receiver-turned-broadcaster – took turns in answering a mix of soccer and football-related questions, asked by CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo.

When asked who’s the ‘goatier GOAT’ between Messi – a World Cup and four-time Champions League winner – and Brady – a seven-time Super Bowl champ’ – Richards said without hesitation: ‘Messi. You gotta go with Messi.’

‘Why? That could already be a statement,’ replied Burleson, who once played on the Lions, Browns, Seahawks and Vikings. 

‘I mean we always talk about Mahomes already [catching up to] Brady,’ said Richards – a former Manchester City and Aston Villa right-back. 

From L-R: Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, Nate Burleson, and JJ Watt on CBS Sports on Sunday

The four pros debate whether Messi – a World Cup and four-time Champions League winner – was better than Tom Brady

Brady holds the record for the most Super Bowl titles (seven) as a player and NFL quarterback  

‘How many Super Bowls does he have?’ Watt quipped about Messi before Richards told him that didn’t matter, hitting back: ‘How many Champions League does he have?’ referring to Brady. 

All four former pros then shared a laugh before Burleson revealed that Brady is his GOAT over Messi, singling out the former Patriots and Bucs’ quarterback as the reason why he didn’t win a Super Bowl.

‘I’m gonna say Tom Brady. Obviously I’m biased, because we’ve been watching him’ said Burleson – a member of the Seahawks’ 35th Anniversary team.

 ‘Brady’s the reason why we don’t have any Super Bowls. He was dominant during his era over the twenty years that he played.’ 

The Bellagio – a five-star hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip – celebrating Super Bowl LVIII

‘I do have to say that Lionel Messi is Lionel Messi…what an unbelievable talent,’ Watt said straight afterwards as he then reminded everyone of his status as co-owner of Burnley. 

‘I do play a little bit of both sides of the fence now with the Burnley connection… I’ll give it to Messi.’

‘I played with the big man. Sorry,’ Henry proceed to say unapologetically. ‘I’m going with Lionel.’ 

A few questions later, the four men were gathered to kick soccer balls and footballs into the fountains of the Bellagio – a five-star hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip – with Richards hitting a drone after punting a pigskin, much to the amusement of his on-air colleagues.