Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo has declared the end of the rivalry between him and Argentine forward Lionel Messi.
During a press conference on Wednesday, ahead of training with the Portuguese national team in Oeiras, a suburb of Lisbon, in preparation for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers, the Al Nassr forward stated that “the rivalry is over.” Messi and Ronaldo have remained at the pinnacle of football for 15 years, since the Portuguese won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 and the Argentine won his first in 2009.
Aside from the two superstars, only two others have won the coveted individual football trophy since then: Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022. “I don’t see things like that; the rivalry is over. It was a healthy rivalry, and spectators greatly appreciated it,” said the captain of the Seleção, who is celebrating 20 years with the national team.
“Those who love Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi, and vice versa because they are both very good. We did well; we changed the history of football, and we will continue to do so. We are respected all over the world; that’s the most important thing,” added the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Professional colleagues Although he would have liked to be a close friend of Messi, CR7 assured that he can be considered a professional colleague of the Inter Miami forward. “I said there is no rivalry. We have shared the stage for 15 years, and we ended up being—not friends, I wouldn’t say, because I have never had dinner with him. We are professional colleagues, and we respect each other,” he explained.
And in conclusion, “He is making his way; I am making mine, even if we play outside of Europe. From what I have seen, he has done well, and so have I. It’s about continuing; the legacy continues.”
