SUMMARY
- The Argentine captain won FIFA The Best Men's Player of the Year Award for the third time on January 15th, after winning his eighth Ballon d'Or in October last year.
- Cristiano Ronaldo didn't participate in the final vote process, but he made a social media post after the announcement of the winner.
The World Cup-winning Argentina captain has now earned FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year Award for a record third time on January 15th, following his eighth career Ballon d’Or victory in October of last year. His longtime opponent, Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not participate in the final vote process, made a social media post in the wake of the announcement.
Cristiano Ronaldo has always been a top professional soccer player throughout his career and is very competitive by nature. Even at the age of 38, he does not let anything slide easily and recently his arch-rival Lionel Messi claimed the “FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year” award.
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Ronaldo’s competitive nature came in the frame as he posted a picture of himself on Instagram along with the inspirational message, “Back for more! 💪🏽” This showcases the grit and determination he still has in himself to go and compete at the highest levels of the sport once again.
The Portuguese legend, who plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, had an incredible year in 2023, setting a record with 54 goals. The 38-year-old defeated players like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe to take the title of top men’s goal scorer of the previous calendar year.
Cristiano Ronaldo ends longstanding rivalry with Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had a legendary rivalry, and the Portuguese great was feeling sentimental as he considered their respective careers. Ronaldo was questioned about Messi’s success at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and his prolific goal-scoring for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia when he was representing the Portugal national team.
Ronaldo, 38, treated Messi, 36, with a great deal of respect, as the two have always done despite the belief held by many people worldwide that they have to like one or the other. Both players are still making waves outside of Europe as they near the end of their illustrious careers.
Ronaldo reflects on his rivalry with Messi over the years 🤝 pic.twitter.com/X7p4dqneXd
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 6, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo shares his views on his longstanding rival Lionel Messi, he said, “The rivalry is over. It was good, a healthy rivalry that spectators liked a lot. Whoever likes Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to hate Messi or vice-versa because they’re both very good. They changed the history of football, and they keep on doing it.”
Although they are not in the world’s greatest leagues anymore, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still the stars of their respective teams in the MLS and Saudi Arabia. The two have graced this sport with immense professionalism and gratitude and have provided fans with wonderful moments to cherish and talk about for decades to come.
