Overlap in Sky Sport Football Debate: “Messi Vs Ronaldo – Is the Debate Finally Over?’

Abstract

he debate over who deserves to be the best footballer of all time, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, has become one of the most intense and emotional discussions in the world of sports. This study analyzes the phenomenon of overlap (overlapping conversations) in the debate video "Messi vs Ronaldo - Is the Debate Finally Over?" from Sky Sport Football. A qualitative research method based on conversation analysis was used to understand the types, functions, and factors that cause overlap that appeared in the debate. The results show that overlap is used as a strategy to reinforce arguments, interrupt interlocutors, and express emotions in the context of heated debates. The study contributes to pragmatic conversation analysis by offering new insights into how sports debates, particularly in the digital age, shape complex communication patterns. This research also highlights the influence of social media platforms on the verbal dynamics of interactions in the public sphere