Have we just watched the last Messi vs. Ronaldo battle?
Photo via Yahoo! Sports
After an all-time great performance, Lionel Messi hoisted the World Cup Trophy along with the Argentinian team. The crowd cheered, "Messi! Messi! Messi!" and for once in his career, he stood by himself on top of the football world. The constant thorn in his side in the greatest of all time debate, Cristiano Ronaldo, was barely a footnote as the world crowned Messi the king of the beautiful game.
After a phenomenal run at Madrid and then Juventus, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United at the beginning of last season. The reunion was heralded as Manchester United's best move in years. Many expected Ronaldo to be the catalyst needed to jump Manchester City in the standings and be a contender for the Premier League title. Unfortunately, the opposite was the case, and in a very public breakup, Ronaldo departed the team in November.
Possible suitors for the Portuguese striker included Chelsea, Newcastle, MLS clubs, and his former team, Sporting. Ronaldo then shocked the football world, instead opting to sign a contract with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, worth an estimated $200 million per year ($75 million salary and an estimated $125 million in commercial deals and bonuses).
So then, with Messi at PSG, fresh off of one of the most superb individual World Cup performances in the history of the game, and Ronaldo departing to the distant Pro League, it seemed that the Messi vs. Ronaldo clash had finally reached its ending.
But, a friendly between PSG and a combined side of Al Nassr and Al Hilal (playing under the name "Riyadh All-Stars) meant that fans worldwide could see the two titans battle, maybe for the last time.
It was Messi who struck first, lifting a shot just beyond the leg of the outstretched goalkeeper just three minutes into the game. Ronaldo shot a rocket at the keeper shortly after but was denied. However, things wouldn't stay that way, and at the 33-minute mark, Ronaldo blasted in a goal from the penalty spot to tie the game 1-1; More importantly, the score was Messi 1, Ronaldo 1.
Marquinhos gave PSG a 2-1 lead, but Ronaldo fought back, scoring another in the closing seconds of the first half. Somehow, Al Riyadh managed to answer every PSG goal. The score was 2-2.
Ronaldo and Messi were subbed out at the 60-minute mark in the match. Ronaldo could only stand on the sideline and watch as PSG scored three more goals and went on to control the game from there. Some late heroics from Al Riyadh's Talisca made the game 5-4, but that would remain the final score. Ronaldo would pick up the Man of the Match honors, but he had been defeated by Messi once more.
The two legends have competed against each other in 36 games throughout their illustrious careers, with Messi triumphing in 16. Ronaldo has led his teams to 11 victories, and the remaining nine were draws. Messi also narrowly leads the pair in goals, with 22 to Ronaldo's 21.
Even though Messi may have emerged as the victor, the pair's combined career accolades are nothing short of spectacular.
The two have combined for 76 major trophies (Messi 42, Ronaldo 34). They are both also part of an elite group of just eight players ever to have scored 700 goals. Ronaldo still holds the FIFA record for most goals scored by an individual, with 818 (as of now).
While the story of these two is coming to a close, the impact that they have had on the game is not quantifiable. Some experts predict that Mbappe vs. Haaland could be the next "Battle of the GOATs," but it's hard to imagine that any story could surpass the one we've just seen finish. Time will tell, but for now, thank you, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It's been one hell of a ride.
