Lionel Messi Reflects on Cristiano Ronaldo Comparisons, 'Beautiful Sporting Rivalry'

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi opened up about the "beautiful sporting rivalry" he had with longtime foil Cristiano Ronaldo.

He told Argentine TV presenter Pollo Álvarez (via Fabrizio Romano) he and Ronaldo have maintained a mutual respect over the years as they battled for individual and club honors.

"It's something natural in the world of football," Messi said. "I was at Barcelona and he was at Real Madrid, and we were competing for everything both collectively and individually, so people were always comparing us.

"But our relationship was always good and respectful, and everything that happened was purely athletic. There was nothing personal."

For a long time, arguments about the greatest player in world football history revolved around Pelé and Diego Maradona. This was a purely hypothetical exercise because Pelé's career was pretty much over by the time Maradona debuted with Argentinos Juniors in 1976.

In the case of Messi and Ronaldo, their careers have not only overlapped but they also found themselves as the center of one of the sport's biggest rivalries. From 2009-18, every El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid was an opportunity to compare the defining stars of their generation.

Supporters on both sides of the aisle have made up their minds and won't be convinced otherwise.

The fact Messi has more Ballons d'Or, a better head-to-head record against Ronaldo and guided Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022 make a compelling case. Still, there are nonetheless fans who firmly believe the Portuguese forward was the superior player when they were both in their primes.

With the two legends nearing the end of their playing runs, it might be a long time when another individual rivalry stacks up to Messi vs. Ronaldo.