Ronaldo says historic rivalry with Messi is 'gone'

The debate over who's the greatest footballer of all time between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will endure for generations. But, for the time being, the on-pitch rivalry is over.

"I don't see things like that, the rivalry is gone," Ronaldo said, according to ESPN's Adriana Garcia. "It was good, spectators liked it."

Ronaldo, 38, also noted that he and the Argentine great "changed the history of football" during their history-defining spells at Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi, and vice versa," he said. "We've done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world; that's the most important thing."

The pair sparked a fierce debate among supporters who were eager to crown the modern king of football. But there was seemingly no separating the two as they dominated and changed the landscape the sport, with the debate and rivalry growing in intensity on and off the pitch.

Ronaldo and the Barcelona legend captured every trophy and individual honor the sport had to offer, including winning 12 of the 13 Ballon d’Or awards - the top individual honor for men - between 2008 and 2021. The Portuguese star won five compared to Messi's seven.

Ronaldo ended his illustrious European career in December when he joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, while Messi left the continent to sign for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in the summer after departing Paris Saint-Germain.

"He's followed his path, and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe," Ronaldo added. "From what I've seen, he's been doing well, and so have I.

"The legacy lives on, but I don't see the rivalry like that. We shared the stage many times; it was 15 years. I'm not saying we're friends, I've never had dinner with him, but we're professional colleagues, and we respect each other."

Ronaldo, who spearheaded Portugal's Euro 2016 title-winning campaign, won four Champions League titles at Real Madrid. He also had spells at Juventus and Manchester United, where he played before joining Los Blancos in 2009.

Messi, 36 won the Champions League four times at Barcelona before leaving the Catalan club in 2021. He also guided Argentina to World Cup glory in December.