Football legend Lionel Messi has spoken candidly about his long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, saying their competition was always based on football and never driven by personal conflict.
Messi said comparisons between the two stars became inevitable during their years at FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, when both clubs were battling for major domestic and European titles.
“It was something natural in football. I was at Barcelona and he was at Real Madrid, and we were competing for everything both collectively and individually,” Messi said, adding that their relationship remained respectful throughout their careers.
The Argentine icon said that despite the intense public debate over who was the better player, there was never any personal hostility between them.
“For many years, people compared us, but everything stayed within football. We rarely met outside matches or award ceremonies, and we always treated each other with respect,” he explained.
For more than a decade, Messi and Ronaldo dominated world football, winning multiple Ballon d’Or awards, UEFA Champions League titles and setting numerous records, creating one of the sport’s most iconic rivalries.
Messi also reflected on the defining moment of his own career, pointing to 2022 FIFA World Cup as his greatest achievement.
“When I think about the best moment of my career, I always go back to the World Cup in Qatar,” Messi said. “Winning the World Cup was the greatest thing for me.”
The Argentine captain finally lifted football’s most prestigious trophy after Argentina national football team defeated France national football team in a dramatic final widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup matches ever played.
The victory completed Messi’s trophy collection and further strengthened his legacy as one of football’s greatest players of all time, while fans continue to debate whether Ronaldo can achieve a similar feat at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo in historic goal club
Earlier, Lionel Messi etched another record into football history, becoming only the second player ever to reach 900 career goals, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Argentine icon achieved the milestone while representing Inter Miami CF in a CONCACAF Champions League clash against Nashville SC Messi scored during the match, which concluded in a 1-1 draw, though the result was largely overshadowed by his landmark achievement.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi’s latest goal adds to a remarkable career spanning over two decades, further solidifying his place among football’s elite goal scorers.
38-year-old forward now scored 900 goals
The 38-year-old forward has now scored 900 goals over a professional career spanning 21 years. He netted his first senior goal in 2005 at the age of 17 while playing for FC Barcelona, marking the beginning of one of football’s most prolific scoring journeys.
According to reports, Messi reached the milestone in his 1,142nd professional appearance, fewer matches than Ronaldo, who achieved his 900th goal in 1,236 games and has since extended his tally to 965 goals, remaining the all-time leading scorer. Ronaldo is currently pursuing the unprecedented target of 1,000 career goals.
Also read: Lionel Messi shares his success story with young footballers in Miami
