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It was on the 9th of June, 2023 that Lionel Messi announced that he will be joining Inter Miami FC a club based in MLS (Major League Soccer) in the United States, owned by none other than the Manchester united and England legend David Beckham.
Messi decision to move to Miami came after he decided not to renew his contract with PSG, and after he rejected a 1Billion Dollar offer from the Saudi Arabia. But what else could he have chosen, for he has achieved everything a footballer would dream of achieving in their entire lifetime.
And it was pretty evident that the last decade and half has been one of the most exciting times in world football, especially La Liga in Spain as their El Classicos were one of the best and one of the most exciting matches that an individual could have witnessed.
And it was the epic rivalry of Cristiano and Messi that overshadowed the likes of so many great players.
The numbers that both Messi and Ronaldo left Europe with is absolutely mind boggling. Messi up until his transfer to Miami has scored 806 goals and have made 357 assists, whereas Cristiano has 837 goals and 236 assists.
Messi won 7 Ballon do’rs during his time in Europe and Cristiano won 5 of them. Cristiano won 5 champions league titles during his reign in Europe,. Messi won the champions league 4 times with Barcelona. Cristiano is now the leading scorer in international football with 122 goals and Messi just behind with 102 goals.
Cristiano at his peak was an absolute monster as he was someone who burst onto the stage as a skinny fast winger who was known for his amazing dribbling abilities whereas Messi even though a central forward knew how to set up the game for the entire team. As he single-handedly set up all the games for the Argentina team in the recently concluded Fifa world cup in Qatar.
Before Ronaldo’s arrival Portugal had never won any major international tournament but since he burst onto the stage, they have won the Euros in 2016 and Nations League in 2019. While Messi on the other hand fulfilled the dream of billions by winning the FIFA world Cup with Argentina in 2022 in Qatar and set up his legacy along with the legend Diago Maradona.
Messi and Ronaldo define the football rivalry of an entire generation.
Players such as Neymar, Suarez, Benzema, Lewandoski are some of the players that could never achieve such legendary levels that these two did.
Messi at his peak with Barcelona scored a staggering 91 goals in a year in 2012 and Cristiano at his peak scored 450 goals in only 438 games for Real Madrid.
Both these players have defined generations and inspired people all over the world. And after plying their trade in the best leagues , they both are now doing what they do the best.
Making other leagues better and well known so that football reaches even the most remote parts of the world.
For instance, Cristiano’s arrival in Saudi Premier league that Al nassr the club he joined gained millions of followers overnight as it has now over 15 million followers.
Even in Messi’s case, Inter Miami’s followers have increased in an absolutely staggering manner as it is now the 5th most follower sports team in the US. The Club apparently gained 6 million followers overnight as since Messi announced his decision to join the club.
They both are now playing their part in making football and its infrastructure better in other countries and maybe one day they will be at par with Europe.
As everybody is aware of the impact that such a legendary signing would have. And how he would inspire generations in the United States to take up this beautiful sport.
The same goes for Cristiano’s impact in Saudi as many more established players have now joined the Saudi League. His longtime, Real Madrid team mate Karim Benzema joined AL- itihad his rival club along with French superstar and ex Chelsea legend Antonie Kante.
So, it can be stated that while all the people kept on comparing who the legend was, these two brilliant and legendary athletes showed the world what human beings are capable enough if we truly give in everything. The debate for GOAT will be there forever as winning or losing a particular trophy or tournament doesn’t wash out their previous achievements. They both came, saw and conquered. We as humans tends to find meaning in our lives with constant comparisons but as true lovers of the game, we shouldn’t be sad that it has ended, but rather be happy that it happened.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.