Ronaldo has admitted what he really admires about long-term rival Lionel Messi

In the eyes of many, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two greatest footballers to ever grace the game.

Their rivalry has defined the last 15 years of the sport, with the pair battling it out for football's most prestigious honours, both from a team and individual perspective. However, never has their battle ever really strayed into hostile territory and though the pair have both admitted they aren't exactly close, there is evidently plenty of respect both ways.

Ronaldo and Messi have a staggering 13 Ballons d'Or between them, with the Argentine boasting eight of those having won the gong in three of the last four years. At their peak, they lit up La Liga with Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, where they also both won a number of Champions League titles.

That lengthy battle for the status of the best has treated fans to some sensational moments of genius from both of them and also ensured that their relationship is in a good place. Speaking to RMC Sport back in 2020, Ronaldo explained: "I really admire the career he [Messi] has had so far.

"He has already said that he had trouble when I left the Spanish league because it is a rivalry that he appreciates. "It is a good rivalry that exists in football, but this is no exception. Michael Jordan had rivals in basketball, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were great rivals in Formula One."

"The only common point between all the big rivalries in the sport is that they are healthy."

Messi has been equally complimentary in the past and admitted he enjoyed facing off against Ronaldo during their shared time in Spain. Following the Portugal captain's move to Juventus in 2018, his Ballon d'Or rival claimed: "It was nice to play against Cristiano, he made Madrid a stronger side. I said at the beginning of the season that Madrid would miss him, as any team would.

"It made a lot of Madrid fans a bit angry but that is the reality. Any team would miss him. He scores 50 goals a season and he was the key player for them, of course, they were going to miss that."

Nowadays, the duo are nearing the end of their glorious careers. Ronaldo currently lines up for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, where he ended 2023 as the highest goalscorer in club football on the planet with 53 goals in 59 games.

Messi, meanwhile, is aiming to guide Inter Miami to MLS glory after he arrived on the East Coast following his Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of last year. He has already inspired the club to one trophy, helping David Beckham's side lift the Leagues Cup championship.