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Cristiano Ronaldo revealed as football's GOAT ahead of Lionel Messi and Pele after University of Oxford mathematician creates a formula to compare legends' achievements

A University of Oxford mathematician is claiming to have settled the oldest debate in football - who is the greatest player of all time?

Using a unique algorithm that takes into account achievements on the club and international stage, Dr Tom Crawford compared football legends across all eras in search of the definitive answer.

And Dr Crawford's number crunching has revealed Manchester United new boy Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest of all time (GOAT).

Cristiano Ronaldo has been declared the greatest footballer of all time by a University of Oxford mathematician who devised a unique algorithm to settle the age-old argument
Ronaldo edged out his rival Lionel Messi to top the leaderboard over seven categories

The Portuguese superstar, who is poised for his second debut at Old Trafford in the coming days, finished ahead of his Argentine rival Lionel Messi plus icons Pele, Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo Di Stefano and Diego Maradona.