Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t talk much when asking questions Lionel Messi, a figure with whom he has always compared with regards to his successes on the field. Brief but implicit praise for the Argentine superstar.
Over the past twelve years, Ronaldo and Messi have seemed to compete in matters of grid performance, be it goals, trophies with club and country or individual awards. The two also dominated the Ballon d’Or race in 2008-2021.
Messi has won the Ballon d’Or seven times, while Ronaldo has had five. However, CR7 is currently the all-time top scorer in the Champions League and has bigger trophies than La Pulga (5 against 4).
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Ronaldo has won more Champions Leagues than Messi. Photo: Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
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Ronaldo has also scored more goals at international level, but in terms of results with their respective countries, the two are relatively equal. CR7 won the European Cup in 2016, while Messi won the Copa America in 2021.
For the modern football audience, both are considered aliens whose level is above other footballers. Considering that Messi and Ronaldo are starting to get eaten up by age, it is thought that the rivalry between the two will soon end, to be replaced by a new generation.
Despite competing on the pitch, Ronaldo doesn’t necessarily have negative feelings towards Messi. Instead, he respected the man who was born in Rosario. This was revealed in an interview with Piers Morgan.
 Meanwhile, Messi excels in the number of Ballon d’Ors won. Photo: AP/Christophe Ena |
“An amazing player who is magical, top notch. As a person, we’ve shared the stage for 16 years, imagine, 16 years. So I have a good relationship with him,” Ronaldo said of Messi.
“I’m not friends with him, a friend is someone who comes to your house, talks to you on the phone. It’s not like that, but he’s like a teammate. He’s someone I respect, especially for what he said about me.” explained Ronaldo.
Messi and Ronaldo will fight for the title World Cup 2022, which should be the last number for the pair. Will one of them become the champion? Or not at all?
(adp/adp)
