Carlo Ancelotti has refused to name Lionel Messi as the best player in history despite the fact the Argentine sensation won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Messi achieved his dream of winning the showpiece tournament in December and delivered his country their first World Cup trophy since 1986 after defeating France via a thrilling penalty shootout.

Many believe Messi's success in Qatar has ended the GOAT debate considering Cristiano Ronaldo crashed out of the tournament when Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarter-final stages.

However, Ancelotti has refused to crown Messi as the greatest player to have graced the earth. Instead, he named Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona as potential candidates.  

Speaking at Real Madrid's pre-match press conference on Thursday morning, Ancelotti said: 'It's difficult to say, I don't know if he's the best in history. 

'It's not fair to say that, because each era has very good players. 'Messi is the best in history' won't come out of my mouth. 

He went on to add: 'I've enjoyed so many good players... I train the Ballon d'Or every day. And I've seen Cruyff, Maradona play...' 

However, thousands of fans and pundits took to social media after the World Cup to say Messi' performance had finally ended the GOAT debate. 

In Jamie Carragher's eyes, Messi's triumph was enough to place him above anyone in the history of the game. 

He tweeted a list of great players with Messi in first, Maradona second and Ronaldo down in fourth place.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, a World Cup winner with Germany in 2014, also shared his sentiments, tweeting that the diminutive Argentinian had 'finally crowned his great career.' 

England's Declan Rice and Tammy Abraham said Messi is now simply 'the best ever' and 'greatest of all time', while Alan Shearer said the win was 'written in the stars.'

Hockey star Sam Quek added that the debate had been 'fun while it lasted' but that it was now 'finished. Settled. Confirmed.'

Ancelotti also spoke about Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema in his pre-match press conference. He said Hazard was training 'well' and expressed his excitement for what's to come from the 31-year-old. 

The Italian manager said: 'I see Hazard well, he has trained well. I see him better than before the World Cup. He has done a good job and I am going to use the entire squad.'

When discussing Benzema return to Real Madrid after sustaining an injury in Qatar, Ancelotti said: 'He did not enter into that decision. With us he has returned a highly motivated player and we are convinced that in the second season he will do a lot for us.'