It’s hard work vs natural talent for many, thunderous strikes vs magical moments for others and a debate that has stolen the spotlight for more than 15 years. There has not been anyone close to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in this current era of football and perhaps even history. Separating the two is, therefore, an almost impossible task.
The duo are still very much competing too, even if it’s not for the Ballon d’Or these days. In the September international break, Messi thought he grabbed the headlines with his brace in what could be his final appearance for the national team in his home country of Argentina, only for Ronaldo to swiftly respond by doing the same for Portugal a day later.
Ronaldo, himself, recently spoke about the affection that he has for Messi after years of competing against the former Barcelona star at the very top level.
He told reporters: “Of course I have affection for Leo Messi. We’ve been on stage together for 15 years. I remember translating English for him at the Galas because he didn’t speak English well. He always treated me well and respected me.”
Messi has also shown the same respect to his rival when speaking to reporters, saying: “I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and for the career he’s had and continues to have, because he’s still competing at the highest level.”
It’s a rivalry that is ending with the utmost respect, but also one that almost everyone has had their say on – even former boxing world champion Anthony Joshua.
Anthony Joshua weighs in on Messi vs Ronaldo
Not one for pulling his punches, Joshua admitted that he believes that Ronaldo is better than Messi, because he works harder than the World Cup-winning legend.
It’s perhaps the type of hard work that one of Britain’s greatest boxers can relate to, having gone from narrowly avoiding a prison sentence at a young age to defeating the iconic Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 in front of a packed Wembley crowd.
“I am going Cristiano Ronaldo. They are both great, but I feel Messi is more of a natural, Ronaldo really had to work at it. Both work hard, of course, but Ronaldo needed to do more, and did it.”
With five Ballon d’Ors to his name, to say that Ronaldo’s hard work paid off would be an incredible understatement. The Al-Nassr winger, even at 40 years old, has the physical conditioning of a player at the peak of their powers.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, football’s biggest stage could see its two greatest icons collide one final time. It’s then that AJ and others could get their answer as to just who takes the crown.
