‘Hard to admit’ – Jake Paul claims Lionel Messi is the greatest athlete of all time after World Cup win, but Muhammad Ali was more impactful

Jake Paul has weighed in on the GOAT [greatest of all time] debate following Messi's heroics at the World Cup Final.

On Sunday afternoon, France and Argentina engaged in one of the most exciting World Cup finals of all time, as it ended in a 3-3 draw after extra-time, with the Argentines victorious on penalties.

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Messi stepped up when it mattered most, scoring two goals and then converting his spot kick in the shoot-out to lead his country to the highest honour in world football.

The World Cup trophy, up until now, had been the one prize to allude Messi in his illustrious career that is still not over, but now he has achieved it all.

There has long been a fan-made rivalry between Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo over who is the greatest footballer of all time, but with this World Cup win, it seems in most people's eyes the Argentina icon has now secured the top spot.

With that being said, social media star Jake Paul has taken the debate one step further, claiming that Messi should be considered the greatest athlete of all time.

"Hard to admit as an American... but Messi may be the greatest athlete ever," Paul said on Twitter.

"5’7, 148 lbs... Greatest non-penalty scorer of all time, greatest assister of all time.

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"In a sport that has more people playing it than any other. GAOAT. Agree?"

This was before he then threw another name into the mix, claiming that while Messi was the greatest athlete of all time, Muhammad Ali perhaps had more impact outside of his sport.

"Muhammad Ali still the most impactful though," Paul added.

This is in reference to the fact that boxing icon Ali, while formidable inside the squared circle, also championed a number of causes outside of the ring, such as refusing to be drafted for the Vietnam war.

He was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement.

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