Lionel Messi vs Eli Manning: Was the debate ever close?

Messi had just torn Algeria apart in Argentina's opening game of the World Cup, bagging a hat-trick that increased his record to 16, tying Germany's Miroslav Klose for the most in the tournament's history.

Michael Steele / Staff

Here's how the debate went down on the Dan Patrick Show.

How Messi vs. Manning was framed

Executive producer Paul Pabst got the ball rolling.

"Whose career would you want?" he asked. "Eli Manning, two Super Bowls, likely going to the Hall of Fame, very good quarterback in a sport that a lot of people love in America.

"Or you could be Lionel Messi, likely going to go down as the greatest player in the most popular sport on earth."

As if career earnings would have made any difference, he asked his colleagues in the studio to "Remove what they make."

The reaction to Messi vs. Manning question

Executive producer Todd Fritz sided with Manning, arguing that the Super Bowl record tips the balance, "Two-time MVP, he did it in New York, and he did it two times against Brady," he said.

Rob Carr / Staff

Everyone else in the room went the other way.

"I've gotta go Messi. I mean, he's the GOAT," Associate producer Dylan Grady said.

Marvin Prince kept it short, saying, "Messi, I want to be the greatest at something," and Pabst offered three words in response to his own question, "Messi, no doubt."

"I don't think it's much of a debate," Dan Patrick concluded.

Manning was gracious in response

Manning appeared on the show later that day, and after hearing Patrick play back the segment, weighed in with his own thoughts.

"It's a tough question. I'm never gonna second-guess or take back my career. Just because it's not always what your stats are, or what you're labelled as," he said.

"I have all the respect for Messi, and my son's wearing his jersey around, and for him at 39 years old to have a hat-trick yesterday is unbelievable."

After taking what first appeared to be the high road, Manning backed himself, telling Patrick, "I've enjoyed my journey, and I'll stick with it."

Messi vs. Manning: Two very different scales

In his sixteen-year career with the Giants, Manning enjoyed extraordinary success, winning two Lombardi rings and two Super Bowl MVP awards.

He finished his career ranked 11th in all-time passing yards with 57,023 and 11th in passing touchdowns with 366.

He's still waiting on his call-up to the Hall of Fame, but as the only eligible multi-time Super Bowl MVP not yet inducted into Canton, it's more a question of when, not if.

But as impressive as his career was, it does not compare with Messi's, who boasts one World Cup, two Copa Américas, four Champions Leagues, and a record eight Ballon d'Or awards.

Factor in that he's north of 900 career goals for club and country, and it's really a no-brainer.

Yeah, it was a fun debate, but there was always going to be one outcome here.