Gary Lineker vs Jamie Carragher tale of the tape: How BBC MOTD host and Sky Sports pundit compare after Twitter row
JAMIE CARRAGHER and Gary Lineker got involved in a much-publicised Twitter spat on Tuesday.
The exchange occurred after fans slammed Sky Sports for removing Lionel Messi's Champions League AND Copa America honours as Gary Neville hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the GOAT.
The pundit and his Monday Night Football co-host Carragher were dragged into the age-old debate regarding the two iconic football figures.
But viewers hit out at the error-strewn graphic displayed on their Monday Night Football coverage which had several of Messi’s accolades missing.
As Twitter exploded over the error, BBC’s Match of the Day presenter Lineker joined in by sharing a snap of Sky’s graphic and sarcastically writing: “To be fair, it’s such a long time since Messi led Argentina to victory in Copa America, they’re entitled to forget it.”
He followed that up by tweeting: “Also 4 Champions Leagues not 3.”
Carragher spotted his remarks and replied: “We made a mistake on a graphic over Messi’s international honours.
“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, 60, replied: “Yes, we do, and when they happen, they’re quite rightly pointed out.”
That led to Carragher then offering an invite for him to appear on an upcoming episode of Monday Night Football.
He wrote back: “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.”
Lineker then responded with: “You seem to be picking fights with everybody these days. I hope you’re alright, Jamie.”
Carragher replied: “I’m fine Gary, just sticking up for our stats guy. Appreciate your concern.”
To which Lineker wrote back, along with a thumbs up emoji: “Good man.”
Fans of both TV personalties began taking sides on Twitter, and here SunSport looks at the stats of the two footballing icons.
Carragher has youth on his side and at the age of 43, he is 17 years younger than the face of MOTD.
Sky Sports’ former Liverpool star also has the height advantage at 6ft 1 and also when it comes to club honours won throughout their respective careers.
Lineker’s goalscoring exploits secured him plenty of personal silverware, but Carragher helped the Reds to win 11 trophies during his playing days while the ex-forward only lifted six.
But it is Lineker who holds the big advantage when it comes to England caps and Twitter followings.
He played 80 times for his country compared to the 38 of Carragher.
And he also boasts a whopping 8.1 million followers on Twitter, which dwarfs Carra’s 1.7m.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Check how the two legends stack-up in our tale of the tape above and then let us know who your money would be on.
⚽ Read our Transfer news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals