It was an epic showdown in Saudi Arabia where hot shot Cristiano Ronaldo clashed with World Cup winner Lionel Messi that turned out to be a massive 9-goal thriller.
In 2022, it seemed that Ronaldo’s career was on a downturn, particularly after being frequently benched by coach Erik ten Hag. However, after leaving the United, Ronaldo found a new home at Al-Nassr, where he is treated like a true star. And he showed why the Saudi club put their trust in him.
The special treatment has seemingly reinvigorated Ronaldo, and he has rediscovered the form that made him one of the best players in the world. This was evident in the exhibition match against long-time rival Messi, where both players scored.
Despite the efforts of Ronaldo and Messi, the 10-man Paris Saint-Germain team emerged victorious with a final score of 5-4, thanks to a late goal by Hugo Ekitike.
Football fans across the world received a lot of bang for their buck as a tale that has dominated the sport for more than ten years appeared to come to a close in a memorable goalfest, even though the match may not have much lasting relevance for the clubs involved.
Ronaldo and Messi’s alleged rivalry
The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest soccer players of all time, with a combined total of 12 Ballon d’Or wins, has dominated the sport for over a decade and a half. Fans of the sport often find themselves fiercely supporting one or the other.
Their rivalry reached its peak during the nine years they competed against each other in Spain, while Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid and Messi for Barcelona.
Their latest encounter at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh was nothing short of thrilling. Ronaldo scored twice, offsetting goals from Messi and Marquinhos in an exciting first half. The match was further intensified by the sending off of PSG’s Juan Bernat for a lunging tackle on Saudi international Salem Al-Dawsari.
Both of their fan clubs are insane, especially on Twitter. The fights that they would have about their idols regarding the majority of the Premier League news is shocking. There were times where a transfer deal was going on with a club unrelated to the players, and either a Ronaldo or Messi fan would criticise one or the other.
Fans reaction towards their face-off
If today was Messi and Ronaldo's final meeting, then what a run it was 🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/6NXUieM44A
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 19, 2023
The picture posted on B/R Football’s Twitter page seems neutral. It shows Ronaldo and Messi shaking hands after a good day’s game over the years and the multiple teams that they were in during the time. It shows that the fans and the media are the ones pitting them against each other.
There was never a comparison, it was only stirred up by corrupt journalists and Bots on SM, Ronaldo was mostly nothing but a tap in merchant, not even close to roben or henry per example, not even top 20 of all time, let alone comparable to #Messi🐐
— Vincent 🇵🇸 (@vince_n_tt) January 20, 2023
As fans of the sport, it’s important to recognize that the time for these legends to shine on the field is coming to a close. Instead of continually arguing over who is better, it’s crucial that we take the time to cherish and appreciate the remaining years these players have left.
Many fans have already begun to commemorate this special moment in time, with some creating movie posters to capture the essence of this rivalry. It’s likely that in the future, movies will be made about the lives and legacies of both Ronaldo and Messi, as well as one that specifically highlights their intense rivalry. It’s a moment in history that should be savoured and remembered for years to come.
Why can’t we appreciate both
— ¹¹ (@OwnedByKyrie) January 20, 2023
To no surprise, even positive tweets like this will still attract fans that are vehemently against the other player. One fan managed to even call Messi “Pessi.” Messi fans then posted photos of statistically how he is better than Ronaldo.
Regardless of this, it is understandable that there will be people liking one player more than the other. It is quite normal for everyone who is in the spotlight, regardless of their career. It is especially towards celebrities, to which the both of them are.
However, it’s important to remember that these players are more than just athletes, they are human beings who deserve respect. Using inappropriate language or attacking other fans for supporting them is not acceptable behaviour.
Both Ronaldo and Messi have made an indelible impact on the sport of football and their contributions cannot be replicated. Like Pele and Diego Maradona, they are irreplaceable legends in the history of the sport. It’s important that we recognize and appreciate their achievements rather than resorting to name-calling and divisive behaviour.
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