Lionel Messi discussed his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo after winning the record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or of his career. The little Argentine discussed the longevity of their rivalry and how Cristiano Ronaldo’s hunger to win motivated him to improve.
The Inter Miami superstar was awarded the 2023 Ballon d’Or ahead of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. After the ceremony, the Argentine answered some questions from the media. One of the reporters asked, “You have now won the eighth and you have three more than Cristiano Ronaldo. So is the competition over”?
Messi addressed the question by praising Ronaldo: “It was an epic competition between brackets. Athletically, he was very good and I think we benefited from each other because we are both very competitive and he also always wants to win over everyone and everything.”
After the initial comments, Messi emphasized the fact that it is difficult to maintain the levels for such a long period of time. He added: “I think it was a very beautiful period for us and for those who love football in general. What we have done all this time is very appreciable because as they say it is easy to reach the top but difficult to stay.”
🚨 Leo Messi on his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo:
The journalist: “You have now won the eighth and you have three more than Cristiano Ronaldo. So is the competition over?
Leo Messi: “It was an epic competition between brackets. Athletically, he was very good and I think we… pic.twitter.com/km2YDKepxh
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) October 31, 2023
He concluded by stating that the rivalry was a beautiful time period for everyone who loved soccer: “It was very difficult to continue at this level and I think it was a great thing and a beautiful memory for everyone who enjoys football.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the only two soccer players in the history of the sport who have won this accolade more than three times in their careers. Messi’s latest victory put him three above Cristiano Ronaldo, ending the rivalry for many neutral fans.
Lionel Messi was hurt when Cristiano Ronaldo leveled him in Ballon d’Or in 2017
The current comments from Lionel Messi have a different tone from the time when Ronaldo leveled him back in 2017. The Portuguese superstar won his fifth and last Ballon d’Or six years ago. He leveled the record of Messi of winning the most Ballon d’Or of all time.
Later in 2019, Messi surpassed Ronaldo again by winning his sixth Ballon d’Or ahead of Virgil van Dijk. After winning the accolade, the Argentine revealed he was hurt when Ronaldo equaled him two years earlier.
Lionel Messi admits watching Cristiano Ronaldo win 2017 Ballon d’Or “hurt” himhttps://t.co/STFqeqXlvP pic.twitter.com/sd8VW9iv0c
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 3, 2019
The Mirror reported the comments of Lionel Messi: “On the one hand, I appreciated having five and being the only one to do so. When Cristiano leveled me, I have to admit that it hurt me a bit. I was no longer alone at the summit. But it was logical, even if it is nice when you are alone on five.”
The drive and hunger between the two pushed each other to the limit as the duo dominated the accolade from 2008 to 2017. In this period, both superstars won the accolade five times, each setting the standards for any future rivalries. With both superstars now in the twilight years of their careers, 2023 might be the last time either one of them makes it onto the podium, signaling the end of an era.
