The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has been one of the most fascinating the sporting world has ever seen. The two players, who were direct rivals in Spain’s La Liga at one stage, appeared to push each other to new heights as they starred for Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. But, as with all rivalries, it seems this one has ended, and it did so in Saudi Arabia.
Until recently, Ronaldo and Messi were plying their trade in two of Europe’s top leagues after departing La Liga. Ronaldo had returned to Manchester United after a spell with Italian giants Juventus. In contrast, Messi had made the switch to PSG in Ligue 1, a team that has grown in stature and are very much one of the favourites to win any tournament in the world, according to bwin, one of the most renowned online betting platforms in the business. But, things didn’t go to plan for Ronaldo at Old Trafford, and he soon forced an exit, heading to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr.
While you could suggest that the rivalry really ended when neither Ronaldo nor Messi was competing in the same league, the fact that the two were playing at big clubs that both compete in the Champions League meant there was still an ongoing battle between the pair. And, for all Ronaldo’s protestations that he wanted to leave Manchester United for a club where he’d play regularly and have a shot at glory in Europe, he did end up joining a team where it appears the money was the motive.
On the one hand, you could suggest that the rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi, which has captured the imagination, ended in Qatar at the World Cup. Ronaldo and Portugal were disappointing, while Messi led Argentina to glory, achieving something the Portuguese icon never has and will never get the chance to enjoy. But, on the other hand, you could say that the final nail in the coffin came in Saudi Arabia, the country Ronaldo now calls home.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Messi’s PSG faced off in Riyadh in what was nothing more than an exhibition match. Of course, it was put on because it was Ronaldo vs Messi, and, as you will expect, it was PSG who won on the day, but not by much. The French outfit won 5-4, with Messi being the player who opened the scoring and Ronaldo bagging a brace. But, when the final whistle went, it was more than an exhibition game. It was the curtain coming down on the all-out war between two of football’s greats.
Ronaldo, who has always been capable of playing into his forties, is thirty-eight, and his powers are visibly waning all the time. Messi, younger at thirty-five, may have several seasons left, where he’s likely to stay with PSG. There were talks he himself could be tempted to make a big money move to the Middle East, and if he does, it could see the rivalry reignite, but nowhere near to the standard of old, so maybe it’s best left as it is now, in the past.
