Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the one thing that he admits rival Lionel Messi is better than him on the football pitch.
Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagamedov. In sport, fans love a rivalry, but none are quite as big as the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo.
Both men are among the best footballers ever to play the game, with millions of fans across the world arguing that either man is the greatest of all time.
But despite their fierce rivalry, Ronaldo has admitted that there is one thing that Messi can do better than him.
Throughout their impressive careers both men have won several Ballon d’Or awards, displaying their dominance in the sport.
And ahead of Messi receiving his fifth award in 2016, which Ronaldo was also nominated for, the Portuguese striker confessed that he is envious of Messi’s left foot.
Speaking ahead of the 2016 ceremony, Ronaldo said: “His left foot is pretty good — better than mine. I’d like to have his left foot.”
Ronaldo’s comments came as he, Messi and fellow nominee Neymar Jr spoke to reporters ahead of the award ceremony.
And Neymar also took the opportunity to praise Messi, who at the time he played alongside at Barcelona.
“I’d take both of his feet,” joked the Brazilian as he interrupted Ronaldo.
But when Messi was asked the same question, he calmly told reporters that, while he respected Ronaldo, there was nothing about his rival that wishes that he had.
The Argentinian winger replied: “Envy is a very negative trait. Cristiano has many great qualities which every player would like to have. We each have our individual styles.”
In total, Messi has gone on to win more Ballon d’Or awards than any other player with an impressive eight to his name, the most recent being the 2023 award.
The 37-year-old is also the record holder for most consecutive wins, winning four in a row between 2009 and 2012.
Meanwhile Ronaldo has claimed five Ballon d’Ors and holds the record for the most nominations for the coveted trophy having been listed as a potential winner eighteen times.