F1 legend Lewis Hamilton picked Lionel Messi as the GOAT when asked to pick between the Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo. The British racer is a legend of his sport, claiming the joint most Championship titles (7), the most race wins (105), and most podium finishes (202).
Messi and Ronaldo have enjoyed similar dominance in football; the pair have won the most Ballon d’Or awards in history. The Argentine has the most, eight, while Ronaldo, the most prolific goalscorer in the sport’s history, is second with five.
In an interview in September 2024, the legendary racer was asked who he thinks the GOAT is. The Briton had said (as per Albiceleste Talk via Pulse Sport):
“Messi or Ronaldo? Messi! They are both amazing to be honest, but I’m a big Messi fan in the end,”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are in the final stretch of their illustrious careers. The legendary pair play for AL-Nassr in the Saudi Pro-League and Inter Miami in MLS, respectively.
“It was good, a healthy rivalry that spectators liked a lot” Cristiano Ronaldo on his rivalry with Lionel Messi
In 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo declared his longstanding sporting rivalry with Lionel Messi asa over. The pair had been centre stage in football for over two decades, scoring goals and creating records galore.
The height of their rivalry came when Ronaldo was with Real Madrid (2009-2018) and Barcelona, leaving the two Spanish giants respectively as their highest goal scorers ever.
Speaking about the ceasefire between himself and the Argentine great, Ronaldo said via NBC Sports:
“The rivalry is over, It was good, a healthy rivalry that spectators liked a lot. Whoever likes Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to hate Messi or vice-versa because they’re both very good. They changed the history of football, and they keep on doing it.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner concluded:
“We are respected throughout the world, that’s the most important thing. He makes his way, I make mine, even if we are playing outside Europe. He has done well, from what I’ve seen, and so have I. It’s about continuing.
“The legacy continues. The rivalry, I don’t see things like that. I’ve already said, we’ve shared the stage for 15 years and we ended up being, I wouldn’t say friends, because I never dined with him, but we are professional colleagues and we respect each other.”
Both players will hang up their boots as two of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
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