Cristiano Ronaldo recently shared his sentiments about his legendary rivalry with Lionel Messi while representing the Portugal national team. Ronaldo, now 38 years old, expressed nostalgia as he reflected on their illustrious careers.
During his discussion, Ronaldo was asked about Messi’s current stint with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and his own prolific goal-scoring performances for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Both players continue to capture headlines outside of Europe as they enter the twilight of their remarkable careers.
Ronaldo, known for his professionalism, displayed immense respect for Messi, who is 36 years old. Their mutual admiration for each other has always been evident, despite the worldwide debate over whether one must choose between the two football icons.
In his response, Cristiano Ronaldo also added a touch of self-praise by discussing himself in the third person, a characteristic that has become synonymous with CR7. Some things, it seems, never change.
“The rivalry is over,” Ronaldo said. “It was good, a healthy rivalry that spectators liked a lot. Whoever likes Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to hate Messi or vice-versa because they’re both very good. They changed the history of football, and they keep on doing it.”
“We are respected throughout the world, that’s the most important thing. He makes his way, I make mine, even if we are playing outside Europe. He has done well, from what I’ve seen, and so have I. It’s about continuing. The legacy continues. The rivalry, I don’t see things like that. I’ve already said, we’ve shared the stage for 15 years and we ended up being, I wouldn’t say friends, because I never dined with him, but we are professional colleagues and we respect each other.”
While Ronaldo and Messi may not engage in the debate, the discussion over who holds the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT) will persist indefinitely.
Why? Because throughout their careers, these two football icons have been polar opposites. Messi, the cerebral maestro who embodied Barcelona, and Ronaldo, the mechanical marvel who epitomized Real Madrid, played the game in entirely distinct ways, both achieving dominance on their own terms.
There’s an abundance of admiration for both Messi and Ronaldo when it comes to their on-field performances, and it’s entirely possible to appreciate and love both of them and their unique playing styles simultaneously. There’s no need to make an exclusive choice.
Yet, for most individuals, choosing one or the other as the GOAT remains inevitable. However, it’s essential to recognize that you don’t have to make that choice. This is the message Cristiano Ronaldo is conveying.
The compelling nature of this rivalry stems from the fact that these two players have coexisted and reigned supreme simultaneously. Unlike Pele and Diego Maradona, whose careers didn’t overlap, the fact that these two GOAT contenders have not only coexisted but continue to do so is what draws us to compare and contrast.
It’s akin to having Tom Brady and Joe Montana playing in the same era and attempting to pick a favorite. People will inevitably make their choices, but you don’t have to. Instead, sit back and savor the remarkable journey, even as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi now ply their trade on opposite sides of the globe as they bring their incredible careers to a close.