Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Told Why Record-Breaking Careers Might Not Have Happened Without Each Other
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been told their record-breaking careers may not have happened had they not had “friendly competition”.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Told Why Record-Breaking Careers Might Not Have Happened Without Each Other

Man Utd Legend Wes Brown Admits He’d ‘Love’ Rivals to Unite at Inter Miami

For two decades, football fans have been spoiled by a rivalry that has shaped an era. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo — two names that have become inseparable in discussions about greatness — have rewritten the record books, shattered ceilings that once seemed unbreakable, and set new standards for what it means to be an elite footballer.

But according to former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, their legendary careers might have looked very different without the other pushing them on. Brown believes the “friendly competition” between the pair not only elevated their individual games but also transformed the sport as a whole.

And in a thought that will get the imagination of every football romantic racing — he admits he’d “love” to see them play together before they hang up their boots, with Inter Miami touted as the most likely stage for such a dream scenario.

What Happened?

Cristiano Ronaldo made the first move into superstardom back in 2003 when Sir Alex Ferguson brought a wiry, step-over obsessed teenager from Sporting CP to Old Trafford. His raw pace and dazzling footwork quickly made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting prospects.

Just a year later, in October 2004, a diminutive left-footed Argentine named Lionel Messi made his debut for Barcelona under Frank Rijkaard. His introduction was quieter in terms of hype, but within a couple of seasons, the whispers around La Masia’s prodigy grew into a roar.

What followed was the kind of parallel rise rarely seen in sport. Both men dominated their respective leagues, then Europe, and ultimately the world — racking up a combined 13 Ballons d’Or, hundreds of goals, dozens of trophies, and a legacy that stretches far beyond statistics.

The Bigger Picture

When you list their achievements side-by-side, the numbers are staggering:

  • Multiple Champions League titles between them

  • European Championship, UEFA Nations League, Copa América, and World Cup honours

  • Over 800 career goals each (and counting)

  • League titles in England, Spain, Italy, and France between them

It’s not just the silverware — it’s the relentless consistency. Year after year, season after season, they maintained a level that very few have ever reached. And in Wes Brown’s eyes, that relentless drive was fuelled by each knowing the other was out there doing the same.

Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup European Championship

Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup European Championship

What Wes Brown Said

Speaking to GOAL in association with 7bet football betting, Brown didn’t hold back in his admiration:

“I would love that [Messi and Ronaldo in the same team]. We talk about all these strikers over the years — [Robert] Lewandowski, [Zlatan] Ibrahimović, [Didier] Drogba, [Wayne] Rooney — these two are completely different. You can’t even put them in the same category.”

Brown went on to explain that Lionel Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry is unique, not toxic:

“They just keep on going with what they have done in the game — the goals, the assists, what they have won. You can’t really compare them to anyone else. These two for me stand out alone on many things. The fact that Lionel Messi is still going, he’s really enjoying his time at Miami. I don’t think it’s a competition but at the same time, it may be. It’s like ‘okay, you pick me, I pick you, but you lot are not good enough to be in our league, so it’s me against him’. I think that’s brilliant.”

And perhaps most intriguingly, Brown hinted that without this rivalry, the footballing world might never have witnessed such historic feats:

“Imagine if they didn’t have anyone to compete against. Maybe you might not have seen this. Regardless of what anyone says, it’s not nasty competition, it’s friendly competition. These two guys have been the best for the last 15, 16 years.”

The “What If?” Scenario — Playing Together

The very idea of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo in the same shirt still feels like fantasy football. But with Lionel Messi now in MLS with Inter Miami and Ronaldo entering the twilight years of his career in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, the door — however small — isn’t completely shut.

Inter Miami, backed by David Beckham and already a magnet for big-name stars, has been linked with bold moves before. Lionel Messi’s reported extension until 2028 could open the possibility for one last blockbuster signing, one that would eclipse anything the league has ever seen.

Brown, for one, is all for it:

“I would love that. Just imagine the fans, the media, the atmosphere. They’ve never played together competitively, and to see them combine instead of compete… it would be special.”

Why Their Rivalry Worked

Unlike some rivalries in sport, Lionel Messi vs Ronaldo was never about animosity. There were no shouting matches, no public feuds — just two players at the very top of their game using each other as benchmarks.

Messi’s magic lay in his balance, vision, and ability to glide past defenders as if they were training cones. Ronaldo’s power, athleticism, and aerial dominance made him almost a different species of footballer.

Brown’s point is that the contrast made the competition richer: Lionel Messi could score a hat-trick one weekend, and Ronaldo would reply with four the next. Lionel Messi could produce an outrageous dribble and finish in a Champions League semi-final, only for Ronaldo to answer with a thunderous bicycle kick in the same tournament a year later.

Still Going Strong

Incredibly, both players are still competing at a high level. Ronaldo’s contract at Al-Nassr runs until he’s 42, while Lionel Messi’s future at Inter Miami could extend into his early 40s as well. Their physical conditioning, professionalism, and hunger remain unmatched.

And while they may never be close friends — their El Clásico years were far too intense for that — there is deep mutual respect. Both have spoken publicly about appreciating the other’s contribution to football, with Lionel Messi calling Ronaldo “a phenomenal player” and Ronaldo admitting he “enjoyed” their battles.

What’s Next for Ronaldo & Lionel Messi?

Ronaldo is set to lead Al-Nassr’s charge in the Saudi Pro League and in continental competition, while Lionel Messi will be the face of MLS, pushing Inter Miami towards more silverware in North America.

Whether they ever cross paths on the same pitch again, as team-mates rather than rivals, remains to be seen. But for now, fans can take comfort in knowing that they’re still writing new chapters in an already legendary story.

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