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Messi-Ronaldo debate between two friends leaves birthday boy dead

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A Nigerian man has been charged with murdering his friend in India after a heated argument over whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s best footballer.

Indian police said the accused stabbed a compatriot to death after the two wrangled over whether the Barcelona star or the Real Madrid forward was better.

Since 2008, both players have shared the honour of being named the world's best footballer of the year.

Messi has clinched the title five times and Ronaldo thrice.

Police Inspector Kiran Kabadi told AFP that an offence of murder had been registered against Michael Chukwuma, 21, over the death of 34-year-old Obina Durumchukwu on Sunday (March 6) in the northern Mumbai suburb of Nallasopara.

The friends were apparently celebrating Durumchukwu’s birthday on Saturday (March 5) night.

Tragedy

The following morning, an argument over football turned to tragedy.

"The two Nigerian youngsters were discussing football players. One is a fan of Messi and the other was for Ronaldo," the inspector said.

"During the conversation, a quarrel took place. The deceased threw a glass into the face of the accused person. The glass broke and caused small injuries.

"After that the accused took the broken glass and assaulted the deceased person, who died due to heavy bleeding."

No one was available for comment at the Nigerian embassy in New Delhi.

- AFP

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