Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are arguably the two greatest players of our time. The Argentine recently spoke about the rivalry between them when they both played in La Liga.
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the most memorable in football history. This epic duel really gained momentum in 2009, when Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Real Madridplacing the two superstars at the centre of La Liga and world football.
Since the late 2000s, these two legends have dominated the football scene, racking up Ballon d’Ors and impressive records. Their competition has not only captivated football fans, but also helped elevate La Liga to a new level of notoriety and excitement. The Clasicos between Barça and Real have become major events, watched by millions of fans across the globe.
Despite their rivalry, the two players have regularly spoken with respect towards each other. Asked about players capable of playing at his level, Messi did not hesitate to mention Cristiano Ronaldo. “Today there are many great players like Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Luis Suarez, Eden Hazard, who can claim the title of best in the world”said the Argentinian world champion.
“I didn’t include Cristiano Ronaldo in this list because I consider him to be at the same level as me. It was a pleasure to challenge him, even if it was sometimes difficult to see him win trophies with Real Madrid”he added.
However, every rivalry must come to an end, and today both players play in lesser-known leagues. Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi represents Inter Miami in the United States.
