Messi Reflects on Rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo After Record-Breaking Ballon d’Or Win

Lionel Messi (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right)

Source: Africa Publicity

In a recent interview with the Ballon d’Or organizers, iconic Argentine international, Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, addressed the speculation surrounding the rivalry between himself and Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. With a difference of three Ballon d’Or awards between them, Messi believes their rivalry is far from over.

“We benefitted from each other by raising the bar in this competition,” Messi said, acknowledging the significant impact their rivalry had on their careers. “We were great competitors, and [Cristiano] always loved to achieve everything, all the time.”

Messi described who played club football at FC Barcelona and later Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) their time at the top of football as a “golden era” that will be remembered for years to come.

Messi praised their enduring success, saying, “Reaching the top is easy, but continuing and remaining there for many years is not.”

He credited their rivalry for pushing them to new heights, stating, “Together, we deserve a lot of credit for staying at the top for all these years.”

The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has been a defining aspect of modern football, with both players consistently breaking records and dominating awards ceremonies. While Ronaldo has since moved to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi to Inter Miami CF in the United States, their legacy continues to shape the sport.

Their on-field rivalry may have slowed down, but Messi’s words suggest that the competitive spirit that drove them to greatness remains strong. As football fans look to the future, they’ll undoubtedly be keeping an eye on these two legends and the impact they’ll continue to have on the sport.