Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi produced, perhaps, the biggest rivalry between two players in footballing history. Their rivalry reached its pinnacle after Ronaldo arrived in Spain in the summer of 2009. Messi was doing wonders for Barcelona under Pep Guardiola, while Ronaldo was just coming off a legendary spell at Manchester United.
The rivalry, though, had already begun before Ronaldo was signed by Real Madrid, as Barcelona defeated Manchester United in the final of the 2009 UEFA Champions League. It seems like the greatest of all time (GOAT) debate will never cease to exist. Certainly not anytime soon.
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Legendary athlete Usain Bolt has now given his verdict on the topic.
Bolt was asked who his top three footballers of all time were. “Oh my god,” Bolt replied. “I’m just gonna keep it simple. I think Pele, Maradona, and Cristiano Ronaldo are my favourite footballers,” Bolt told Complex UK, as per Essentially Sports.
Interestingly, when the host asked the legendary Jamaican sprinter about not including Lionel Messi in his top three, he replied, “Yeah, for sure. It’s Cristiano Ronaldo.”
I know you love football, your top 3 footballers of all time?Usain Bolt:
“Oh my god, I’m just gonna keep it simple I think Pele & Maradona, my favourite footballer is Cristiano Ronaldo, so those are my top 3.”
Over Messi? “Yeah for sure”
How come? “It’s Cristiano Ronaldo” pic.twitter.com/s48fxFBXnt
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) April 19, 2024
In 2019, the Jamaican sprinter was asked by FIFA.com about who out of Ronaldo or Messi had a better career. “Both! Many people are asking this question, but they are two geniuses of football. I have always been a big fan of Ronaldo. I admire his ability to succeed in different championships: England, Spain and now Italy,” he replied.
Over the 2010s decade, both Ronaldo and Messi kept competing against each other for the label of the world’s best footballer. The two modern-day greats shared an astonishing 10 Ballon d’Ors between them from 2008 to 2017, with the duo winning five apiece. Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018, thus putting an end to their historic rivalry.
Ronaldo and Messi are in the twilight of their careers, with the former leaving Europe to join Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in 2023. Messi, on the other hand, joined Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Inter Miami last year, upon the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. (PSG).
The duo are among the most decorated footballers of all time and have scored over 800 goals each for club and country. Overall, Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Ors, while Messi has claimed the prestigious trophy three more than the Portuguese legend.
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