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Back in 2024, Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong picked sides in the battle of the GOAT between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has been holding football fans spellbound for nearly two decades, with the two superstars reaching unprecedented heights.
Messi certainly has a more exciting individual award cabinet, having won an unprecedented eight Ballon d'Or awards. Ronaldo might have picked up three fewer Golden Balls, but the legendary Portuguese striker is on the way to scoring a record 1000 career goals.
Queried in a GOAL interview which of the two football legends he would choose, Frimpong replied without hesitation (via Pulse):
"Lionel Messi."
Frimpong's respect for Messi came in a year of success for Bayer Leverkusen in 2024. Under manager Xabi Alonso, the wing-back was one of the driving forces behind Leverkusen's record-breaking Bundesliga campaign, with 18 goal contributions in 31 league games.
Meanwhile, Messi has left Europe entirely, with the legendary Argentine playmaker plying his trade in the USA. Cristiano Ronaldo has also left the continent, with the striker now in Saudi Arabia, where he plays for Al-Nassr.
Lionel Messi speaks about Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry
Lionel Messi has given a reflective explanation for his enduring feud with Cristiano Ronaldo, referring to it as a "golden era" for the duo and football fans. The two have amassed a total of 13 Ballon d'Or awards between them, while setting numerous records in their lengthy and legendary careers.
In his latest interview with France Football, Messi commented on their rivalry and discussed the collective will that had maintained them at the top of sport for over a decade. The legendary Argentine playmaker explained (via SPORTbible):
"It's always been a great battle in sporting terms. I think we've fed off each other with this rivalry because we're both great competitors. He too always wanted to win all the time.
"It was a golden era for us and for every football fan. We deserve a lot of credit for staying at the top for so long. Because, as they say, it's easy to get there but what's difficult is staying there."
Messi added:
"We stayed at the top for ten, fifteen years. It was a spectacular and remains a great memory for everyone."
Lionel Messi has gone on to win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters Shield in 2024 with Inter Miami. Cristiano Ronaldo has won only one cup since his move to Al-Nassr - the Arab Cup in August 2023.
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Nnanna Mba
Nnanna is a European and international football journalist who has been covering news and transfer rumors at Sportskeeda for around 5 years. A keen interest in reading and football since an early age, watching games at local stadiums with family paved the way for him to take up the sport professionally.
Nnanna’s favorite club is English team Bolton Wanderers because he witnessed Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha's play for them between 2002 and 2006. His favorite footballer is Ronaldinho due to the Brazilian's love for the sport and admires Pep Guardiola for redefining football tactics. As a former literature student, Nnanna reckons that the best way of connecting with the readers is to add a bit of empathy in his writing, and relies on trusted websites like Transfermarkt and WhoScored for his articles.
Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup trophy in 2022 is Nnanna’s favorite FIFA World Cup moment, and also follows Major League Soccer due to the diminutive Argentine. He strongly believes that Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland could be the next two superstars in the same light as legendary pair Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
When not writing, he likes to play Football Manager and other simulation games.
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