'It was always a battle' - Inter Miami's Lionel Messi reflects on iconic rivalry with Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo shaped an entire generation in football, and one of the key reasons for their historic status was their consistency at the highest level. Their long-standing rivalry not only elevated both players but also intensified the historic clashes between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Considered by many to be the greatest players of all time, both legends built careers filled with titles, records, and moments that defined an era. In a recent interview published by Ballon d’Or, Messi reflected fondly on the years he spent competing directly with the Portuguese forward for the pinnacle of world football.

"It was always a battle," Messi said to the Official Ballon d'Or X account. "In sporting terms, it was very beautiful. We pushed each other to be better because we are both extremely competitive. He always wanted to win everything, and so did I. It was a beautiful time for us and for people who love football."

Messi, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, holds a record eight Ballon d'Or titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023), while Ronaldo has five (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Despite the ongoing debate among fans about who was superior, both men left an indelible mark on football history.

The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo took shape in 2008 when Ronaldo won his first Ballon d'Or as a Manchester United player, edging out a young Messi. But it wasn’t until 2009, when Ronaldo signed with Real Madrid, that the competition truly escalated.

From 2009 to 2018, the two stars faced each other regularly in El Clásico — the world’s most-watched club football fixture — and split 13 Ballon d'Or awards over the span of 15 years. Messi won four consecutively from 2009 to 2012, while Ronaldo responded with four in five years between 2013 and 2017.

Their legacies speak for themselves. Messi scored 672 goals in La Liga for Barcelona, won six European Golden Shoes, and holds countless records. Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 140 goals and has been named UEFA's Best Player in Europe three times. His exceptional physique and relentless mentality have kept him at the top for over two decades. Together, they didn’t just dominate - they redefined footballing greatness.

"He [Cristiano] always wanted to win everything and beat everyone," Messi added. "I think it was a really beautiful time for us and for people who love football. What we achieved over such a long period has great merit because, as they say, it's easy to reach the top, but the hard part is staying there."

The 2024 edition marked a historic moment, as it was the first time since 2003 that neither the Argentine — the all-time Ballon d'Or record holder with eight titles — nor the Portuguese star, who has claimed the award five times, were included among the nominees.

Currently sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference with 22 points, Mascherano’s Inter Miami will host Orlando City this Sunday at Chase Stadium.