Lionel Messi has opened up on his long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, describing their years of competition as “a beautiful sporting rivalry” that defined an era in world football.
The Inter Miami CF star said the intense competition between them was driven purely by football ambitions and never by personal animosity.
Messi and Ronaldo dominated global football for more than a decade while playing for FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF respectively, turning every El Clásico clash into one of the sport’s biggest attractions.
Speaking in comments shared by Fabrizio Romano on Friday, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said their relationship remained respectful despite constant comparisons between them.
“It’s something natural in football,” Messi said. “I was at Barcelona and he was at Real Madrid, and we were competing for everything both collectively and individually.
“But our relationship was always good and respectful, and everything that happened was purely athletic. There was nothing personal.
“We didn’t meet often except at matches or award ceremonies, and we were always on good terms. Now we’re at different stages in our lives, but what happened was a beautiful sporting rivalry.”
Messi also acknowledged that comparisons between both players became unavoidable as they continued breaking records and winning major honours year after year.
The rivalry between the two football icons produced several unforgettable moments in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, with many fans and pundits regarding them as two of the greatest players in football history.
Now at different stages of their careers, Messi said he looks back on that period with pride, noting that their competition helped shape modern football.
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