The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will forever go down in history as one of the most interesting in football.
The GOAT debate between Messi and Ronaldo is always subjective, with no definitive answer. Messi has 8 Ballon d’Ors, a World Cup, 320 assists and loads of goals, showcasing his playmaking and individual accolades. Ronaldo leads with 938 goals, 5 Champions League titles, and a recent 2025 Nations League win amongst other trophies for both players.
However, both players have always showed respect to each other despite the rivalry that exists between them on the pitch. Lionel Messi is the latest of the pair to show his appreciation towards Ronaldo.
What did Lionel Messi say about Cristiano Ronaldo?
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, and for the career he’s had and continues to have. He is still competing at the highest level. The competition with him was on the pitch… Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. Everything stayed on the pitch. Off the pitch, we are two normal guys. We’re not friends because we don’t spend time together, but we’ve always treated each other with a lot of respect.”
Messi will hope he can win the 2025 Club World Cup which will be an addition to the trophies that he has in his cabinet.
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