“Great men are not born great, they grow great ”, writes Mario Puzo while describing characters in his book ‘The Godfather’. Speaking of, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the greatest names in soccer, and quite rightly so. In what is a perpetual discussion amongst soccer fans around the globe whether at stadiums, at home, in pubs, or while they play a game of soccer in the park, is about who among these is the greatest of all time. It’s no secret that the pair have turned the history of the game on its head.

Both Ronaldo and Messi have scored the highest goals, won the most awards, and have won the most trophies in soccer history. But coming straight from CR7, the Portuguese star suggests that his fans need not hate the Argentine icon Messi just because they prefer him instead.

Cristiano Ronaldo weighs in on the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate

Speaking about what he thinks about the constant comparison and rivalry between him and Messi, Ronaldo made a statement recently.

Talking to the press ahead of his Euro qualifiers match, Ronaldo said: “Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo, don’t have to hate Messi. Both are very good, we have changed the history of football.”

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Further suggesting that the pair command respect and recognition all across the globe, Ronaldo added, “We are respected all over the world, that’s the most important thing.”

Ronaldo and Messi have been at loggerheads ever since they emerged onto the soccer scene as teenagers. Messi at Barcelona and Ronaldo first at Manchester United and then at Real Madrid. The pair continued their on-the-pitch rivalry in the colors of the Blaugrana and Los Blancos respectively, playing in tightly contested El Clasico matches and La Liga and Champions League title bids.

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A contrast at this year’s Ballon d’Or for Messi and Ronaldo

However, when it comes to this year’s Ballon d’Or awards, there’s a stark contrast of fortunes for Messi and Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo is not nominated for the Ballon d’Or shortlist for the first time in 20 years. He hasn’t featured in the nomination list since 2003. On the other hand, Messi seems the favorite to pick up the award this year.

This is because Messi, almost prophetically, won the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last year. Messi lifting the holy grail i.e. the World Cup, for Argentina emulating Argentine legend Diego Maradona, puts him in the front seat for picking up the prestigious award. While Ronaldo’s Portugal crashed out in the quarter-finals, losing 1-0 to surprise packages Morocco.

As it stands, Messi does have the edge over Ronaldo when it comes to the Ballon d’Or wins. The Inter Miami icon has won seven Ballon d’Ors compared to Ronaldo’s five. And despite Ronaldo’s comments, it seems likely that Messi will pick up the award for the eighth time this year.

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