The age-old rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continues to heat up as the Argentine superstar drew level with the Portuguese with his jaw-dropping hat-trick against Bolivia. In just his second game back from injury, Messi put on a masterclass performance, scoring three goals and assisting two more in Argentina's 6-0 win in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. With his 10th international hat-trick, Messi now equals Ronaldo's record and is just 21 goals behind him in the overall international goal tally. Their intense competition shows no signs of slowing down even as they enter their late thirties.
Messi and Ronaldo: The Eternal Rivalry
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers of all time. Their rivalry has been one of the most intense and competitive in the history of the sport.
Background
Messi and Ronaldo have been compared to each other since they were teenagers. They both emerged as stars at the same time, and they have both played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Messi played for FC Barcelona for 21 years, while Ronaldo played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Messi is a left-footed forward who is known for his dribbling skills, passing ability, and goalscoring prowess. Ronaldo is a right-footed forward who is known for his speed, aerial ability, and powerful shot.
The Rivalry
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has been fueled by their on-field performances and their off-field rivalry. They have both been accused of being selfish and of trying to outdo each other.
The rivalry reached its peak in 2017 when Ronaldo left Real Madrid to join Juventus. This was seen as a sign that Ronaldo was trying to escape Messi's shadow.
Recent Developments
In recent years, the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has cooled down somewhat. This is because they are both entering the twilight of their careers. However, they still remain the two best players in the world.
In 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup. This was his first major international trophy. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has not won a major trophy with Portugal.
Top 5 FAQs
Ronaldo has scored more goals than Messi. He has scored 829 goals for club and country, while Messi has scored 793 goals.
Messi has won seven Ballon d'Or awards, while Ronaldo has won five.
This is a matter of opinion. Some people believe that Messi is the better player, while others believe that Ronaldo is the better player.
It is unlikely that the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo will ever end. They are both competitive players who will always want to be the best.
Messi and Ronaldo are both entering the twilight of their careers. It is likely that they will retire in the next few years. However, they will continue to be remembered as two of the greatest footballers of all time.
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