The intense rivalry and mutual respect between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have left an indelible mark on football history. Both players, who competed against each other in Spain for nearly a decade, expressed their admiration for each other’s achievements. Sharing his thoughts with DAZN, Messi emphasized the uniqueness of their prolonged duel and the difficulty of sustaining a high level of performance for such an extended period. He highlighted the demanding nature of their respective clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid, both of which were among the best teams in the world.
During their time in Spain, Messi netted 472 goals for Barcelona, while Ronaldo scored 450 for Real Madrid. Messi pointed out that their long-standing, closely contested competition had undoubtedly left an enduring legacy. He also emphasized the enjoyment and entertainment their rivalry brought to fans, regardless of their allegiance.
The numbers from their rivalry speak for themselves:
– Messi: 472 goals, Ronaldo: 450
– Messi: 122 assists, Ronaldo: 95
– Messi: 7 La Liga trophies, Ronaldo: 2
– Messi: 2 Champions League trophies, Ronaldo: 4
– Messi: 6 Ballon D’Or, Ronaldo: 5