Real Madrid’s Portugal striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that his rivalry with Messi is far from over even after
beating the Barcelona star to the 2017 Best FIFA Men’s Player award on Monday.
Both players have been the only two players in the conversation for every major individual award since Kaka beat them to the Ballon d’Or back in 2007.
Despite being in their 30s—the Real Madrid forward claims that his battle with Messi is not finished.
Speaking to reporters at the venue, Ronaldo initially sought to play down the rivalry but, when asked whether Ronaldo versus Messi was over, the 32-year-old quipped: “It didn’t finish yet… it is just starting.”
Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo was honoured at the gala after a poll of international head coaches, captains and members of the media saw him come out ahead of Barcelona counterpart Messi, with Brazil and PSG forward Neymar in third.
Including the years when FIFA’s individual award was merged with the Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo and Messi have now been labelled the best player in the world by football’s global governing body five times apiece.
Yet Messi has been in a rich vein of form for club and country over recent months, firing Barca to the top of LaLiga with 11 goals in nine matches and securing Argentina’s place at the 2018 World Cup with a majestic hat-trick against Ecuador.
As the all-time leading scorers for their respective clubs and countries and the two leaders in both LaLiga and Champions League history, debate over who is superior out of Messi and Ronaldo will occupy football fans for some time to come.
Related posts:
Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar battle for 2017 Best FIFA Men’s Player award
Messi loses out as Ronaldo, Modric, Salah shortlisted for FIFA Men’s Award final lists
2018 Ballon d’Or : Modric ends Ronaldo, Messi European dominance
Messi, Ronaldo & Van Dijk named as nominees for UEFA Men’s Player of the Year
Virgil Van Dijk, Messi, Ronaldo up for laurel in Milan
Champions League: Ronaldo to face Messi, PSG vs. Man United
Lewandowski, Ronaldo, Messi, Salah, Others nominated for FIFA Best awards
Lewandowski defeats Messi, Ronaldo to win FIFA’s best player award
