They were the faces of football for over a decade. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, eternal rivals, dominated the global stage and redefined what excellence means in the sport.
Although they now play continents apart—Messi in the United States, Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia—the mutual respect between them endures. In an interview with Ballon d’Or media this Saturday, Messi paid a heartfelt tribute to his longtime adversary.
8️⃣🌕 for Messi & 5️⃣🌕 for Ronaldo.
Messi reflects on his immense rivalry with Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or. Between 2008 and 2023, they won the trophy 13 times! What is your favourite memory of the battle between the two most successful Ballon d'Or winners?#ballondor pic.twitter.com/9CVkK1pqwn
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) May 17, 2025
“It was a truly magnificent time. I think we pushed each other to give our best. He always wanted to win everything, all the time,” the 2022 World Cup winner said. “It was a wonderful era, both for us and for everyone who loves football. We deserve a lot of respect for staying at the top for so long. It was an unforgettable memory for all the fans.” A powerful salute to a rivalry that shaped a generation.