Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken about his legendary rivalry with Lionel Messi and the Portuguese superstar was getting nostalgic as he reflected on their careers.

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While on duty with the Portuguese national team, Ronaldo was asked about Messi, who plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, while he is also scoring plenty of goals for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia as the duo continue to make headlines outside of Europe and in the twilight of their glittering career.

Ronaldo, 38, showed massive respect for Messi, 36, just as the duo have always shared with each other despite so many people around the world deciding you have to pick one or the other you like.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s response also came with a nice dose of glowing third-person self-talk. Never change, CR7.

“The rivalry is over,” Ronaldo said. “It was a good, healthy rivalry that the audience really liked. Who likes Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to hate Messi or vice versa because they are both very good. They changed the history of football and they continue to do so.”

“We are respected all over the world, that’s the most important thing. He makes his way, I make mine, even if we play outside Europe. From what I saw he did well and so did I. This is a sequel. The legacy continues. Rivalry, I don’t see such things. I said before, we shared the stage for 15 years and ended up, I wouldn’t say friends, because I never had dinner with him, but we are professional colleagues and we respect each other.”

The debate will always continue

Even if Ronaldo and Messi are out of it, the debate about who is the real GOAT will heat up. forever.

Why? That’s because they’ve been a chalk and cheese duo for so long in their careers.

Messi is a cerebral talent who embodied Barcelona. Ronaldo, the mechanical marvel embodied by Real Madrid. They play in completely different ways and both dominate and do it their way.

There is a lot to like about both Messi and Ronaldo when it comes to their play on the pitch and you can love them both and their style of play at the same time. You don’t have to choose.

But most people will. Most people choose one or the other as the GOAT. But you don’t have to. That’s what Cristiano Ronaldo is trying to say in short.

The fact that both of these players coexisted and dominated at the same time is what makes this rivalry so fascinating. Pele and Diego Maradona didn’t overlap, but the fact that two other players in the GOAT conversation were, and still are, draws us to compare and contrast.

It’s like Tom Brady and Joe Montana playing at the same time and trying to pick a favorite. People will, but you don’t have to. Just sit back and enjoy the ride, even though Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are now playing on opposite sides of the globe and wrapping up their incredible careers.