Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi (Image: PA)
Lionel Messi has previously shared a desire to team up with Cristiano Ronaldo, but it seems the two men are destined to remain adversaries. The two football legends have faced off against each other for nearly two decades, sparking one of the sport's most heated debates over who is the superior player.
Messi, 37, began his career at Barcelona in 2003 and spent 18 years there before completing a free transfer to PSG in 2021. During his tenure in La Liga, the Argentine superstar won ten league titles, 14 national cups and four Champions Leagues. scoring 672 goals and providing 303 assists in 778 matches.
The striker also won seven Ballons d'Or during his time at Barcelona, cementing his status as one of the club's all-time greats. However, Messi's accolades with the Catalan giants were hard-fought, pitting Ronaldo and Real Madrid in an intense rivalry from 2009 to 2018.
While Ronaldo's record of two league titles, four domestic cups and four Champions League trophies with Los Blancos may seem modest compared to Messi's record at Barcelona, the player's impressive tally of 450 goals and 131 assists 39 years in 438 games is testament to his prowess. .
The perennial debate among football aficionados as to who reigns supreme – Messi or Ronaldo – often defies any definitive answer, especially when you consider the five Ballon d'Or honors that Ronaldo also has on his belt. Although the two have always clashed on the pitch, representing both club and country, Messi once entertained the idea of forming an alliance with Ronaldo in a professional capacity, reports the Mirror.
In a 2022 interview about the possibility of playing alongside Ronaldo, Messi said: “Yes, of course. I always like to play with the best, and he is one of them. I think he will be difficult for us to play in the same but obviously I would like to do it. I had the chance to play and participate with a lot of very good players and obviously I would like to do it with him as well.
Ronaldo and Messi were long-time rivals in La Liga (Image: AP)
The Argentine wizard had already synced up with his former Real Madrid adversary Sergio Ramos at PSG, winning two Ligue 1 titles and a Champions Trophy before his move to Inter Miami in 2023. Ronaldo has charted his own course after Madrid , signing with Juve in 2018.
After three years in Serie A, he made a poignant return to Manchester United, the very club where his legendary status was first cemented. As Messi embarked for Inter Miami, Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League almost simultaneously. With Ronaldo's commitment to Al-Nassr until June 2025 and Messi linked to his American project until next December, it is becoming increasingly clear that the dream duo will not be wearing the same jersey anytime soon.
Meanwhile, a colossal wage bill could pose a significant obstacle to uniting Messi and Ronaldo at the same club. Last year it was suggested that Inter Miami were considering offering Messi a base salary of between £40m and £46m, while Ronaldo would earn around £177m a year from Al -Nassr.
As the two football legends near the end of their illustrious careers, time is running out for them to unite on the pitch – and unfortunately, a dream team may remain an elusive fantasy for football fans everywhere.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1992359/Lionel-Messi-Cristiano-Ronaldo-Barcelona-Real-Madrid-Football