Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry remains a hot topic among football lovers across the globe. The two superstars continue to bring the best out of each other, with their immense motivation and insatiable thirst for success every season. However, how does their rivalry compare with other rivalries in sports history?
According to research commissioned by gaming company Nintendo, Messi and Ronaldo's rivalry isn't the biggest sporting rivalry of all time. The duo were beaten to the top spot by tennis stars Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.
The two tennis legends faced each other 14 times between 1978 and 1981, clashing in the biggest tennis tournaments around the world.
Although the Messi-Ronaldo duel didn't take the top spot, it wasn't far behind, as it ranked second in the list. Another footballing rivalry, that of Germany and England, follows in third position.
The research, which was based on a poll of 2,000 adults, has boxing legends Mohamed Ali and Joe Frazier in fourth position. Another set of tennis heros, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, take the fifth spot.
Interestingly, another football rivalry, that of Liverpool and Manchester United, made it into the list, in ninth position. Below is the top-10 list as it appeared on Mirror:
1. Bjorn Borg vs John McEnroe
2. Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi
3. England vs Germany (football)
4. Muhammed Ali vs Joe Frazier
5. Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal
6. Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank
7. Roy Keane vs Patrick Vieira
8. Oxford vs Cambridge (rowing)
9. Liverpool vs Manchester United
10. Ayrton Senna vs Alain Prost.
What's next for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?
The duo have had a difficult outing this season, with Messi enduring a slow start to life at PSG, while Ronaldo suffering from inadequate support at Manchester United. However, it would be an act of foolishness to write them off just yet, as they'll definitely be eager to bounce back next season.
Meanwhile, it's worth nothing that the Portuguese has a record of 23 goals and three assists across competitions so far this season. His Argentine counterpart, meanwhile, has nine goals and 13 assists this campaign.
lunkhumyim
1
El classico be like, am I a joke???
Piaeoptz
1
fake article!! El Clasico is the biggest rivalry
Pebbcnuz
3
It's a poll,, includes only 2000 people.... so,, don't take it seriously......
dahiru224
1
were is elclasico
Keccdkouy
3
is el clasico a joke !!!!!!
Teisina
1
who wants to know about tenis ... this is football
1992Erick
3
Messi the great ๐ช
RonaldoTheDestroyer
6
Where is India vs Pakistan biased English clowns
RonaldoTheDestroyer
1
Proper English bias for u guys. I am sure that this so called poll was done by english people๐๐
Yes right ๐ Otherwise India vs Pakistan would be there in Top 5
Teetorh07
0
where is barcelona vs real Madrid ??
We are not their mates tho๐
cartoonxz
0
If Benzema score he is better than Messi, if Lewyz score he is better than Messi, if Ronaldo score is better than Messi, if Salah Score he is better than Messi, why ia everyone compare to Messi, that proved to us that Messi is the Si Unit of football, no one better than him
yh what the guy below me said๐
Zewenopry
6
where is barcelona vs real Madrid ??
MarshRaymond
2
I am thinking Ronaldo is going to leave man u at the end of the season and I think he might go to psg or Bayern just saying
siuuu007
1
If Benzema score he is better than Messi, if Lewyz score he is better than Messi, if Ronaldo score is better than Messi, if Salah Score he is better than Messi, why ia everyone compare to Messi, that proved to us that Messi is the Si Unit of football, no one better than him
u know nothing about football
ridabiklpu
0
pls room is there notting else to talk about than this two legends with tired legz (Ronaldo & messi) because they can't 45 or 50 goals Again ooooo
Hellomadrid25
3
I'm still searching for El Clasico...Oh wait El Clasico is the Biggest rivalry in the Universe ๐๐๐
jombnopsty
1
Seriously there's Liverpool vs Man United, is El classico a joke to this people
Rakbceloz
1
never ever heard of this 2 dudes ๐๐๐
nebbinrsyz
1
Mr ignorance when atal would you stop talking negative about barca. Please do proper research before taking about Barcelona.
kezdekltyz
0
top 4
thomashaokip
0
I did love the Roger n Nadal....
Evans0323
4
If Benzema score he is better than Messi, if Lewyz score he is better than Messi, if Ronaldo score is better than Messi, if Salah Score he is better than Messi, why ia everyone compare to Messi, that proved to us that Messi is the Si Unit of football, no one better than him
AshikYesudas17
2
Proper English bias for u guys. I am sure that this so called poll was done by english people๐๐
Kingsamizzy
3
No players will ever come close to their record in history of football โฝ๏ธ ๐ ๐ #CR7 #LM10 greatest ever โค๏ธโค๏ธ
AshikYesudas17
0
I think english people voted for this garbage list๐ ๐
rahacdksyz
0
Liverpool vs man utd hata imekua one way traffic haikifaa kua hapo
man where did you learn heavenly language. maze umebarikiwa kuliko wote๐๐
ThaiKa92
1
Real Madrid vs Barcelona is joke?
emame
0
who did the rating??
Fecciknty
1
Ronaldo is the best
Womabcdnpr
0
Messi clear no rivalry
Dramz
1
CR7 is scoring goals week in and week out but still AFERS BELIEVE He is not at his best instead of say he is not st best team.
jezaclu
1
Barca vs Real Madrid rivary stated in the 1990s bro before it was only Madrid you will see most Barca trophy was won in the 20s and little in the 90s, like winning 14 laliga out of 25 in the 20s, like winning 4 champions league out of 5 in the 20s like winning 16 Copa deri in the 20s and winning all club world cup and uefa super cup in the 20s
jezaclu
0
no Barca vs Real Madrid??
Barca vs Real Madrid rivary stated in the 1990s bro before it was only Madrid you will see most Barca trophy was won in the 20s and little in the 90s, like winning 14 laliga out of 25 in the 20s, like winning 4 champions league out of 5 in the 20s like winning 16 Copa deri in the 20s and winning all club world cup and uefa super cup in the 20s.
wecelmno
1
just to tell u that even Liverpool vs man city now is better to watch than no 1 rivalry nintendo mentioned let alone el clasico
Empiror13
1
We donโt even know those in the number 1 spot I mean?๐คจ
Willboy123
1
it's just another man's decision,
adelekemoney0e
5
no Barca vs Real Madrid??
ritam
1
out of only 2000 people, really??
baronAskia7Z
7
I guess they forgot that classico made them the rivals[Crylaugh]
cuebeopty
1
Lol no el clasico ? Bullshit
AbelLAW
2
There's no rivalry....messi is clear
Semtone10_
2
How come Madrid vs Barcelona (el clasico) is not included ๐๐ ??
Jeccdmntz
0
grow
ossydeboss
2
My own is just to come down here and write what you've just read now... thanks
Daabceimr
0
Liverpool vs man utd hata imekua one way traffic haikifaa kua hapo
TF you saying
Daabceimr
0
stupid sh*t. brainless researchers. purely bullsh*t, the rivalry between two goats i.e cr7 and Messi is beyond another level, incomparable to any other rivalries. these researchers are Tryna put our game, goats down.
Always_in_my_heart
0
kids wonโt remember ๐ 7. Roy Keane vs Patrick Vieira
The internet never forgets
GunnArs
3
kids wonโt remember ๐ 7. Roy Keane vs Patrick Vieira
Rewabeiny
2
Liverpool vs man utd hata imekua one way traffic haikifaa kua hapo
Vozcdkmnor
2
this is rubbish