Al-Nassr Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo once commented on his rivalry with Lionel Messi. The Portuguese icon claimed that he was the best player in the world and it doesn’t matter what others think.
Ronaldo and Messi have dominated football over the past two decades and won a combined 13 balloons d’Or titles. Their rivalry was at its peak when the Portuguese played for Real Madrid and the Argentinian represented Barcelona.
To date, the argument for the better player between the pair of fans and experts lags behind Loggerheads. In 2015, Ronaldo claimed that he was better than Messi.
Speaking with the BBC, said the five-fold balloon d’Or winner (via ESPN):
“I am always the best in my mind. I don’t care what people think, what they say. In my thoughts, not only this year, but always, I’m always the best.”
“It is the opinions, I respect opinions. Maybe Messi is better than me in your opinion, but in my mind I am better than him. So it’s simple,” Ronaldo added.
At the time of making the above comment, Ronaldo had won three Ballon d’Or prizes, while Lionel Messi achieved the honor four times. The former Real Madrid striker won the Ballon d’Or on two other occasions, while the former Barca star expanded the gap by claiming the price four more times.
When Cristiano Ronaldo suggested that the World Cup victory of Lionel Messi did not end their goat riveteness
Cristiano Ronaldo was once of the opinion that Lionel Messi’s World Cup Triumph with Argentina in 2022 did not end the goat debate between the two superstars. After Messi had led La Albiceleste To win the Holy Grail in 2022, various fans and experts labeled La Pulga If the best to play the game ever, given that his rival Ronaldo still had to win the coveted trophy.
After the World Cup triumph of Argentina in 2022, Ronaldo spoke that the goat debate between him and Messi would continue, because fans will always have their preference, despite what every player achieves.
He said (via Football London):
“Even if I will continue the World Cup,” said the 37-year-old earlier in the month. “Some people like me nicer, some less. It is like in life, some love blondes, some love brunettes.”
Ronaldo continued:
“I have always had to show what I can do year after year. I would like to win this tournament. I am ambitious, but if you tell me that I will no longer win tournaments, I would still be happy, given everything that I have won all other records in the history books.
Interesting is that the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo continues to do rivalry, despite the fact that both players are at the twilight of their career. The Argentinian (37) is in the MLS at Inter Miami, while the Portuguese (39) plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Published by Ankush Das