Lionel Messi motivation! Cristiano Ronaldo was always driven to top GOAT rival as former Man Utd coach reveals Portuguese’s mindset at Old Trafford

Ronaldo burst onto the senior scene before his great Argentine rival, with a move to Manchester United made in 2003 while still in his teens. Messi, though, moved through the gears quicker after making his breakthrough at Barcelona.

Once Ronaldo was fully up to speed, with a first Ballon d’Or being secured while still at Old Trafford, his sights quickly became locked on a standing at the top of the world game. He has spent almost two decades battling Messi for dominance in that department.

Dutch coach Meulensteen worked with Ronaldo in Manchester and has told Action Network of how Messi served as added motivation for the most ambitious of characters: “Cristiano had a desire and motivation to one day play for Real Madrid and Cristiano honoured his word to Sir Alex [Ferguson] by staying at the club for an extra year and then he went to Madrid. When he then went there, he had a great education and foundations from what he had learnt at United.

“He was a great trainer, fantastic professional and always trained hard and wanted to do extra to maximise his performances. Apart from being successful at the club and winning trophies, he had his own personal journey to become the best player in the world and he knew every day that he was working towards that and against the competition from the likes of Lionel Messi.

“That is a testament to him because when Messi was flying in one season and scoring so many goals and Cristiano was left behind a little bit, it’s easy to throw in the towel. But he never did and actually picked up the glove and worked even harder.

“The following season he was then top goalscorer and won the Ballon d’Or and that is a testament to him back then and now as he is looking after himself at 40 and looks in good shape, plays in Saudi and for the national team scoring important goals.”

Ronaldo and Messi are both still going strong. CR7 is chasing down 1,000 career goals, with there no imminent plans to retire on his part despite passing his 40th birthday. Messi, meanwhile, is the reigning MVP of MLS.

Messi will turn 38 this summer, as he continues to shine for Inter Miami, but the expectation is that both he and Ronaldo will grace the 2026 World Cup finals with defending champions Argentina and global title hopefuls Portugal respectively.