For nearly two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi defined football’s greatest era. Their rivalry fueled debates, divided fans, and shattered records at an unprecedented pace. But as their illustrious careers near their final chapters, Ronaldo has set the record straight about his relationship with Messi—and it’s not what many expected.
In a preview of his upcoming interview with El Chiringuito, Ronaldo dismissed any notion of animosity between him and the Argentine legend. “Never,” he said when asked if their relationship was strained. “It’s quite the opposite.”
The mutual respect between the two icons has long been evident, despite their contrasting styles and club loyalties. Ronaldo, the powerful goal machine, and Messi, the magician with the ball, pushed each other to unparalleled heights. Their dominance saw them share 12 of the last 15 Ballon d’Or awards, setting a standard that may never be matched.
When asked if the football world will ever witness a rivalry of similar magnitude, Ronaldo remained skeptical. “I hope so—it would be good for football. But I think it’ll be tough,” he admitted.
Fans had hoped for one last showdown between the two legends, possibly at the 2025 Club World Cup, but Al-Nassr’s elimination from the Asian Champions League has made that unlikely. The next possible meeting? The 2026 FIFA World Cup, if both are still active for their national teams.
Regardless of whether they share the pitch again, Ronaldo and Messi’s legacy is already cemented. They may have battled for supremacy, but in the end, football was the true winner.
Source: All football