The rivalry to end all rivalries: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi.
The pair have been locking horns since the late noughties, chasing each other’s achievements and records, but when did this feud start?
With Ronaldo’s 40th birthday on the horizon, talkSPORT.com has taken a look at the origins of the Ronaldo vs. Messi rivalry…
The Ballon d’Or
The most prestigious individual football prize, that led to the ultimate rivalry.
Back in 2007, Ronaldo and Messi finished runners-up to AC Milan’s Kaka in both the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year.
At that time, Ronaldo was dazzling on the pitch with Manchester United while Lionel Messi was weaving his magic at Barcelona.
Fast forward 12 months, and Ronaldo won the first of five Ballons d’Or.
But while Ronaldo may have beaten Messi on that occasion, the Argentine has eight wins to his name.
It marked the beginning of a decade-long supremacy between Ronaldo and Messi, only broken by Luka Modric claiming the honour in 2018.
Messi won four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards, from 2009 to 2012, with a fifth coming in 2015, while Ronaldo had equalled Messi’s total of five with wins in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017.
When combining the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year, and The Best FIFA Men’s Player awards, Messi emerged victorious over Ronaldo, with 12 to eight wins, and 24 to 20 podium finishes.
Remarkably, Messi is also the only player in history to win the Ballon d’Or while representing three different clubs: Barcelona, Paris Saint Germain, and Inter Miami.
Versus
The first encounter between the two took place when United faced Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-final but the big test came a year later in the 2009 Champions League final.
It was billed as the latest chapter of their ongoing battle to determine who truly is the best player in the world.
Ronaldo told Sky Sports at the time he always goes out onto the field believing he is the best.
Whereas Messi’s teammate, Xavi said: “Messi is the best player in the world by a distance, he’s the No.1.”
Barcelona won that game 2-0, with Messi scoring a rare header for the second goal, out jumping Rio Ferdinand.
When Ronaldo moved to Spain in an £80m transfer, it pitted the two bona fide stars against each other on a regular basis at last.
La Liga
Over nine years, the two battled it out for supremacy.
Throughout this period, both players became their clubs’ all-time top scorers, often alternating as the leading scorers in La Liga and the Champions League during their spell at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
He scored 26 league goals in his first season and then top scored with 40 and then battled for the golden boot over the next few years with Messi.
Trophies
If any animosity existed, these years surely cemented it, not just from the players’ perspectives, but also echoing through the eyes of fans and the media.
It’s safe to say both stars could compete in a trophy cabinet showdown.
Goals, goals, goals
When it comes to goals, Ronaldo and Messi are nothing short of legends.
| League titles | Domestic cups | Champions League | Major international trophies | Ballons d’Or | |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 7 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Lionel Messi | 12 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
Messi shines as the all-time top scorer in La Liga, along with holding the record for the most assists in the competition’s rich history.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo stands strong in second place for goals scored and fourth for assists provided.
The former Real Madrid star is the unmatched all-time top appearance maker and goal scorer in the Champions League.
Messi, equally impressive, ranks third for both appearances and assists in this prestigious competition and second for goals scored.
Ronaldo also holds the records for most international caps and most international goals – with Messi ranked eleventh in appearances and third for goals scored.
One remarkable record they share is the honor of being the first two players to achieve the historic milestone of scoring 100 Champions League goals.
The future
Ronaldo joined Saudi club Al Nassr in December 2022 after his second spell at Man Untied turned sour and his £173m per year contract has made his life even more comfortable.
Yet despite the riches and lifestyle his deal affords he has still maintained an insatiable desire for goals. During this time he has become the first footballer to finish as top scorer in four different leagues and is closing in on 1000 career goals.
He might be about to turn 40 but he’s not finished yet.