The intense rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has not only defined an era in soccer but also sparked heated debates among fans and families alike. For over 15 years, from 2008 to 2023, the two footballing icons dominated the sport, winning 13 out of 15 Ballon d’Or awards, cementing their status as two of the greatest players ever to grace the pitch. Messi claimed the prestigious trophy a record eight times, while Ronaldo secured it five times, and their constant achievements fueled ongoing discussions about who deserves the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT).
The rivalry intensified when Ronaldo made the high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2009, marking the beginning of a near-decade of head-to-head clashes in La Liga with Messi, who was at Barcelona. Their on-field competition was as fierce as it was thrilling, with the duo constantly battling for supremacy in the Spanish league. However, the rivalry extended beyond the field, with their families getting drawn into the debate in an amusing yet competitive manner.
One such example came in December 2020, when Ronaldo’s sister, Elma Aveiro, publicly celebrated Juventus’ 3-0 victory over Barcelona, posting an image of Messi kneeling before Ronaldo with the caption: “My king. Greatest of all time. Pride of my life.” This playful jab at Messi sparked further attention and added fuel to the fire of their rivalry. However, it wasn’t just Ronaldo’s family that engaged in the online banter. In December 2021, after Messi clinched his seventh Ballon d’Or, his father, Jorge Messi, hit back at those who questioned his son’s win. Ronaldo himself had voiced his belief that he deserved the accolade, while others felt players like Robert Lewandowski or Karim Benzema were more deserving. In response, Jorge Messi posted a simple yet powerful message under a picture of his son with his trophy: “Bla bla bla… carry on.”
The rivalry continued to ignite strong reactions from both sides. In August 2022, when Messi scored a sensational overhead kick for PSG, a Ronaldo fan posted a comparison to Ronaldo’s iconic bicycle kick against Juventus in 2018. Katia Aveiro, Ronaldo’s sister, showed her support by liking the post and adding clapping emojis, further fueling the debate. Similarly, when Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, Ronaldo’s fan page shared a photo of him with his five Ballon d’Or trophies, captioned “Earned not given.” Katia responded with more clapping emojis, once again indicating her allegiance to her brother.
Despite these public spats, both Messi and Ronaldo have moved past their rivalry in recent years. After winning his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, Messi reflected on the years of competition with admiration, telling L’Equipe, “It was a great battle, from a sporting point of view. We fed off each other’s rivalry because we’re both great competitors. He, too, always wanted to win everything, all the time. It was a very enjoyable time for both of us and for everyone who loves football.”
With Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, their on-field rivalry has come to an end. In 2023, Ronaldo acknowledged the shift in their relationship, saying,
“I don’t see things like that, the rivalry is gone. It was good, spectators liked it. Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi and vice versa. We’ve done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that’s the most important thing.“
Their rivalry, though fierce, will always be remembered as one of the greatest in the history of soccer, and while it has subsided, the impact they’ve had on the sport is undeniable. The footballing world will forever cherish the battles between Ronaldo and Messi, who both changed the game and continue to inspire future generations of players.
