Report Cristiano Ronaldo and, always within 10 seconds, someone will bring Lionel Messi.
The couple shared a rivalry undoubtedly greater than one ever seen in a team sport in the past.
For over two decades, and has been fueled by the development of social media, the debate has been destroyed by Sydney in New Scotland. Who is better? Ronaldo or Messi?
Their careers are inextricably linked, sharing narratives associated with elite clubs and elite competitions since they dug on the stage at the beginning until the mid -2000s. Millions of words written to push one case or the other.
🔥 Maximum scorer in football history
🇵🇹 Cristiano 9⃣2⃣3⃣ (1261 games)
🇦🇷 Messi 8⃣5⃣0⃣ (1083 games) pic.twitter.com/xm6hcj6ryw– Sports Mundo (@mundodeportivo) 4 February 2025
Ronaldo is still talking
Ronaldo has been in the discussion more than Messi. On Monday, he appeared on Spanish television to declare himself “the most complete player ever existed”.
He added: “I do everything in football. I play well with my head.
“People could like (Lionel) Messi, (Diego) Maradona or Pele, and I respect it. But I’m the most complete.”
His willingness to speak may come from knowing that if a global poll had to be carried out, he would probably come second to his opponent in Argentina.
This is an assertion that cannot be proven, but, above all, it should not reduce a truly remarkable career. Judging that one great of all time should not always be through the context of another.
Both men are still loud
Ronaldo and Messi are now in twilight of their career, watching their days in the states of Saudi Arabia and Florida, where the sun is always shining and bank accounts collect additional Noughts on a daily basis.
This does not mean that they have relaxed, though.
Having Argentina’s captain at Copa America Glory last year, Messi returned to Inter Miami to lead his franchise to supporters’ shield.
Ronaldo last night won a support, including a header header that defied gravity, as Al Nassr hit Al Wasl 4-0 in the Asian Champions League. He is also the top scorer in the Pro League this season with 15 goals in 17 games and won 923 times in his career.
Men cannot fly.
Him: pic.twitter.com/racGPlnh6
– Alnassr FC (@ALNASSRFC_EN) 3 February 2025
There is no sign of it to slow down as it chases this indefinite 1000th goal.
“I am so competitive that I sometimes forget what I have achieved,” he said, “because it motivates me to do more and do better every year … I think it’s the difference with others. Someone else would have left football 10 years ago. I am a different, complete attitude. ”
It may be unlikely to admit it, but Ronaldo and Messi are extremely similar to prospects, if not always approach.
The Portuguese are openly expressive, demanding and, occasionally, meager.
Every player who shared a room with Messi in Barcelona during his acne would recognize all these features in South America.
So what now?
Well, Messi is turning 38 this year, but he has already stated his desire to lead his country as they are trying to defend the World Cup crown in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Ronaldo will also hope to be there with Portugal. Until then he may have achieved his declared goal of 1000 career strikes.
We can rather dream, but a final in Portugal, Argentina, against Portugal-which is not completely unlikely-would be the perfect mission if they decided to be seduced into the sunset.
As for who was better? Who cares. Maybe we have two years left of this attractive chapter in football history. Enjoy them, we love them, we will lose them when they are gone.
