Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo recently announced the conclusion of his rivalry with Argentine forward Lionel Messi. Speaking at a press conference before a national team training session in Oeiras, just outside of Lisbon, ahead of the upcoming European Championship qualifiers, the Al Nassr player declared that the competitive rivalry between him and Messi had come to an end.
Both Messi and Ronaldo have maintained their dominance in football for a remarkable 15-year period, dating back to Ronaldo's first Ballon d'Or win in 2008 and Messi's inaugural victory in 2009. During this time frame, only two other players, namely Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022, managed to secure the highly coveted individual football award.
Ronaldo characterized their rivalry as "healthy" and noted its popularity among spectators. He emphasized that fans who admire Cristiano Ronaldo need not harbor animosity towards Messi, and vice versa, as both players are exceptionally talented. Ronaldo acknowledged their significant impact on the history of football and expressed a commitment to continuing their contributions. He also highlighted the global respect they command, irrespective of where they play.
While Ronaldo clarified that there is no longer a rivalry between them, he underscored the mutual respect they share. He described their relationship as professional colleagues rather than close friends, as they have never dined together. Nevertheless, they maintain a deep respect for each other.
