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Cristiano Ronaldo says he and Lionel Messi “changed the history of football” but their rivalry is now “gone”.
Widely regarded as all-time greats, they often faced each other in Spain’s La Liga with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Said Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr:
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has been left off the shortlist for the first time since 2003, while Messi could win it for the eighth time.
“He makes his way, I make mine. He’s done well, from what I’ve seen. It’s about continuing, the legacy continues,” added 38-year-old Ronaldo.
When asked if hatred was a feature of their rivalry, he said: “Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi. I don’t see the rivalry like that.
Between them, the record-breaking pair has won many of the most prestigious pieces of silverware the game offers.
On the international stage, Messi won the 2022 World Cup and a Copa America with Argentina, while Ronaldo won a European Championship and a Nations League with Portugal.
The two have faced each other on the pitch 36 times - the last meeting was in January when Messi, then playing for Paris St-Germain, beat Ronaldo’s Riyadh Season XI 5-4 in a friendly.
