Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that there’s one aspect of Lionel Messi’s game where he believes Messi has the upper hand.
From Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier to Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O’Neal and Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov, sports have been full of intense rivalries, but few match the scale of the ongoing comparison between Messi and Ronaldo.
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Widely considered two of the greatest football players of all time, their fans passionately debate who is truly the best. Despite their competition, Ronaldo has acknowledged that Messi surpasses him in one area…Continue Reading
Both players have won multiple Ballon d’Or awards, establishing their supremacy in the football world.
However, just before Messi was set to receive his fifth award in 2016—a year Ronaldo was also a nominee—the Portuguese forward admitted to feeling envious of Messi’s left foot.
Speaking ahead of the 2016 ceremony, Ronaldo said: “His left foot is pretty good — better than mine. I’d like to have his left foot.”
Ronaldo made his remarks while he, Messi, and fellow nominee Neymar Jr spoke with reporters before the award ceremony.
Neymar also used the moment to commend Messi, who was his teammate at Barcelona at the time.
“I’d take both of his feet,” joked the Brazilian star as he interrupted Ronaldo.
However, when Messi was asked the same question, he calmly responded to reporters, saying that, while he respects Ronaldo, there is nothing about his rival that he wishes he had.
The Argentinian superstar replied: “Envy is a very negative trait. Cristiano has many great qualities which every player would like to have. We each have our individual styles.”
Overall, Messi has claimed more Ballon d’Or awards than any other player, amassing an impressive eight, with his latest win in 2023.
At 37 years old, he also holds the record for the most consecutive wins, securing four straight titles from 2009 to 2012.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times and holds the record for the most nominations, having been shortlisted as a contender for the award eighteen times.
