Lionel Messi Breaks His Silence on His Rivalry With Ronaldo After Winning 8th Ballon d’Or

• Lionel Messi has shed light on his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo
• Messi and Ronaldo, often considered the greatest of all time, shared an incredible rivalry for almost two decades
• The pair collectively boast 13 Ballon d'Ors, with Messi edging his rival with eight awards

Lionel Messi has provided insight into his storied rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, a captivating narrative that unfolded over nearly two decades, culminating in Messi's remarkable attainment of his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or award.

The revered Argentine claimed the Golden Ball Award at an extravagant ceremony in Paris on Monday, October 30, further cementing his position as arguably the greatest footballer to have ever graced the sport.

Amid stiff competition from Manchester City's Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappe, as well as 26 other nominees, Messi emerged victorious, as cited by Eurosport.

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The Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry

The trajectory of Messi's legacy would be incomplete without acknowledging his historic rivalry with Ronaldo.

During the peak of their careers, the duo commanded the global football stage, as evidenced by their joint domination of the Ballon d'Or from 2008 to 2018.

During this time frame, both football legends elevated their performances, effortlessly shattering records and achieving new heights in their game, all the while securing individual accolades and leading their teams to various triumphs.

Messi on rivalry with Ronaldo

When questioned about his prolonged rivalry with the current captain of Al-Nassr, the 36-year-old maestro paid homage to Cristiano, reflecting on the significance of their enduring competition in shaping their illustrious careers.

"It was an epic competition between brackets. Athletically, he was very good, and I think we benefited from each other because we are both very competitive, and he also always wants to win over everyone and everything," he said at the 67th Ballon d'Or Awards, as quoted by TCR.

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"I think it was a very beautiful period for us and for those who love football in general. What we have done all this time is very appreciable because, as they say, it is easy to reach the top but difficult to stay."

Messi added: "We stayed at the top for ten or fifteen years, I'm not sure how many, and it was very difficult. It was very difficult to continue at this level, and I think it was a great thing and a beautiful memory for everyone who enjoys football."

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Messi swerves GOAT discussion

Sports Brief also reported that following his record-breaking eighth Ballon d'Or win, Messi tactfully sidestepped questions about the best player in the world, opting not to engage in the enduring debate surrounding his longstanding rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite his notable comments after the victory, Messi chose to navigate the discussion with caution.