Cristiano Ronaldo has declared an end to his rivalry with Lionel Messi which has ruled football for the last 15 years
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that his rivalry with Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi is now over with both players now finding different paths to the end of their careers.
Ronaldo calls time on Messi feud
Ronaldo and Messi have been at each others’ throats for the better part of the last two decades, entertaining the world of football as they set and broke records aplenty while trying to outdo each other.
![Lionel Messi: Argentina captain emerges as clear favourite to win Ballon d’Or ahead of Erling Haaland](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/06092023/244ee67e-7e18-4046-a5ec-0b547073e145.jpeg?operations=fit(180:))
15:21 - 06.09.2023
Lionel Messi: Argentina captain emerges as clear favourite to win Ballon d’Or ahead of Erling Haaland
Lionel Messi is currently the odds-on favourite to win the upcoming Ballon d'Or.
![Cristiano Ronaldo and 4 other top players snubbed in Ballon d’Or nominations](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/06092023/839f2566-836a-4d2b-ab97-43a7d5a40a5f.png?operations=fit(180:))
22:56 - 06.09.2023
Cristiano Ronaldo and 4 other top players snubbed in Ballon d’Or nominations
The Ballon d’Or nominations which were released today, have seen some top players excluded by the organisers despite having a good 2022/2023 season.
The pair have undoubtedly marked an important era in football with their opposition, but the Portugal international has revealed that he considers that time to be over.
![Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during a mid-season friendly | Imago](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/09062023/671b9696-f1d7-4e4f-a687-482cd45b7932.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Speaking ahead of Portugal’s European Championships qualifier against Slovakia, the Selecao captain and legend said, "I don't see things like that, the rivalry is gone. It was good, spectators liked it.”
Ronaldo asks fans to respect both legends
Ronaldo also noted that the aggravation from fans of both players was unnecessary as they respected each other contrary to their supporters’ behaviour.
![Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi | Imago](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/07092023/72918c09-3b87-4a9f-b8c4-a25d4e42586a.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
"Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi and vice versa, Ronaldo said, continuing, “We've done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that's the most important thing.
The Portugal ace further explained why he believed their rivalry to be over, saying, "He's followed his path and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe.
![10 remarkable records Cristiano Ronaldo has broken since he joined Al Nassr](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/07092023/7f41a219-3b09-4abb-ac7d-5080e31c8fc6.png?operations=fit(180:))
19:06 - 06.05.2024
10 remarkable records Cristiano Ronaldo has broken since he joined Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest football players the world has ever seen. To many, he is the greatest, and this has fueled football debates and continues to do so. However, regardless of which side of the divide you are on, one thing that is undeniable is that the Portuguese is a record-breaking machine. Since his record-breaking move to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro-League, he has broken several records that will leave your jaws dropping. Find them below.
![Ronaldo's pal Evra defends Messi after Van Gaal's rigged World Cup statement](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/05092023/cbb33c95-7114-42b4-9690-e4c45d89cb53.png?operations=fit(180:))
21:12 - 05.09.2023
Ronaldo's pal Evra defends Messi after Van Gaal's rigged World Cup statement
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra defends Messi's World Cup performance amid criticism.
“From what I've seen, he's been doing well and so have I. The legacy lives on, but I don't see the rivalry like that.
![Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo | Imago](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/09062023/c3d75057-24d6-4819-8688-4452532e4a7d.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Finally, Ronaldo stated his own respect for Messi after sharing the spotlight with the Inter Miami forward for various years, saying, “We shared the stage many times, it was 15 years. I'm not saying we're friends, I've never had dinner with him, but we're professional colleagues and we respect each other."
Ronaldo recently scored the 850th goal of his illustrious career and still looks to be going on strong as he leads Portugal on an international trophy pursuit.
Related content
![Lionel Messi: Christian Pulisic begs American celebs to turn up for national team matches too](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/04092023/525e7209-6b42-420c-8c7f-763ddc4ebf93.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
23:59 - 06.09.2023
Lionel Messi: Christian Pulisic begs American celebs to turn up for national team matches too
USMNT captain Christian Pulisics has reacted to celebrities turning up for Inter Miami to watch Lionel Messi.
![Cristiano Ronaldo and 4 other top players snubbed in Ballon d’Or nominations](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/06092023/839f2566-836a-4d2b-ab97-43a7d5a40a5f.png?operations=fit(180:))
22:56 - 06.09.2023
Cristiano Ronaldo and 4 other top players snubbed in Ballon d’Or nominations
The Ballon d’Or nominations which were released today, have seen some top players excluded by the organisers despite having a good 2022/2023 season.
![Lionel Messi: Argentina captain emerges as clear favourite to win Ballon d’Or ahead of Erling Haaland](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/06092023/244ee67e-7e18-4046-a5ec-0b547073e145.jpeg?operations=fit(180:))
15:21 - 06.09.2023
Lionel Messi: Argentina captain emerges as clear favourite to win Ballon d’Or ahead of Erling Haaland
Lionel Messi is currently the odds-on favourite to win the upcoming Ballon d'Or.
![Kenyan defender to rub shoulders with Lionel Messi after securing MLS move](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/06092023/cc3fb5c4-68af-46dd-bbe5-30a841dea491.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
10:23 - 06.09.2023
STARS ABROAD Kenyan defender to rub shoulders with Lionel Messi after securing MLS move
The 25-year-old has secured a short-term deal with Major Soccer League (MLS) outfit Orlando City.
![Ronaldo's pal Evra defends Messi after Van Gaal's rigged World Cup statement](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/05092023/cbb33c95-7114-42b4-9690-e4c45d89cb53.png?operations=fit(180:))
21:12 - 05.09.2023
Ronaldo's pal Evra defends Messi after Van Gaal's rigged World Cup statement
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra defends Messi's World Cup performance amid criticism.
![Georgina Rodriguez: Ronaldo’s stunning girlfriend sets tongues wagging with stylish outfit at Venice Film Festival](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/05092023/65418951-9d24-429e-8a12-1f6f300ee202.png?operations=fit(180:))
20:31 - 05.09.2023
Georgina Rodriguez: Ronaldo’s stunning girlfriend sets tongues wagging with stylish outfit at Venice Film Festival
Georgina Rodriguez delivered one of the best red carpet highlights at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.
![Lionel Messi: Liverpool's Van Dijk reacts to Van Gaal's rigged World Cup claim](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/05092023/e7a54838-de97-4713-b435-1843eb9da712.png?operations=fit(180:))
18:25 - 05.09.2023
Lionel Messi: Liverpool's Van Dijk reacts to Van Gaal's rigged World Cup claim
Dutch national team captain Virgil Van Dijk comments on Louis Van Gaal claim that the World Cup was rigged for Messi.
![Louis Van Gaal claims 2022 World Cup was ‘rigged’ to favor Messi’s Argentina](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/05092023/061649e0-5b23-444e-8528-55043794b2c1.png?operations=fit(180:))
18:00 - 05.09.2023
FOOTBALL: Louis Van Gaal claims 2022 World Cup was ‘rigged’ to favor Messi’s Argentina
The former Man United coach believes that the tournament was rigged so that Messi could finally win the trophy that had always eluded him.