Cristiano Ronaldo’s Cheeky Reply When Asked About His Rivalry With Leo Messi

Reuters / Albert Gea

Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned FIFA Best Player of the Year in London for the second successive time to highlight another season of remarkable achievement.

The Real Madrid star helped his side win the UEFA Champions for the third time in four years, besides breaking Barcelona’s dominance in Spain to win La Liga. Interestingly, the Portuguese hero received 43.16 percent of the total votes to win the award.

Meanwhile Barca’s marquee player Lionel Messi received just 19.25%. His record was also equalled by the Real Madrid talisman, and both players have now won the prestigious award for the 5th time in their respective careers.

Despite Messi’s statistics being more powerful than Ronaldo, the Portuguese’s two big honours with his club, alongside a brace against Juventus in the Champions League, helped him garner the accolades. The legendary duo have been the best ever players to grace the planet since more than a decade, and have dominated European club football since.

With the whole world having an opinion about their rivalry, as to who is the best amongst the two, there hasn’t been much to separate the two megastars. Ronaldo is also expected to win his 5th Ballon d’Or title later this year, and equal Messi on that front as well.

The Portugal NT captain was asked about his rivalry with Messi on the prestigious night, to which the 32-year-old replied rather in a humble manner. He replied: “I don’t compete with Leo. He is a player, who is in the same era. He won five times. I won five times too — individual awards for the best in the world. So things are as they are.”

But his statement did not end there, as it was followed with another cheeky reply when asked if their rivalry was reaching its climax due to the fact that they are both in their 30’s now. The superstar merely declared: “It didn’t finish yet… it is just starting.”

Written by Rajdeep Saha 

Sports journalist with stints across print, digital and television. Contribution to each medium has been thrilling. Experienced in writing for this passionate game called football. Journalist by choice and passion.