"That was always the big rivalry for them" - When Jamie Carragher made interesting comments on Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry

Earlier this year, Jamie Carragher made an interesting observation about the longstanding rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both superstars have been at the very top of world football over the last 20 years, winning a combined 13 Ballon d'Or awards.

The debate regarding the best among the duo has ruled conversations in football for well over a decade, with pundits, fans, and players sharing their views. In May 2024, former Liverpool defender Carragher spoke about the two icons, making interesting comments about how the rivalry affected them.

In an interview with Football365, he explained that the rivalry pushed them to become their best versions.

“They didn’t want to lose out to the other for trophies like the Ballon d’Or – that was always the big rivalry for them every season. They definitely made each other better. But I think they probably can’t appreciate that until they’ve finished," he said (via GOAL).

"While they’re playing, I bet they can’t stand each other. No matter what one did, the other would come back at them. They could never rest. They could never enjoy what they’d done as much because they knew the other one would be coming back at them to go and get more goals," Carragher added.

Carragher continued:

"I always felt that if one of them scored a hat-trick, the next night the other one would go and get a hat-trick. They had to always completely outshine each other. It must have been tough mentally, that Messi-Ronaldo thing."

"And I’d say more so for Ronaldo, because I think probably seven or eight people out of 10 would say Messi was the better player. That really must have driven Ronaldo on. No matter what he did, people still said that. That was a big thing in his career, his mentality,” he concluded.

Lionel Messi recently won the Supporters' Shield with Inter Miami, a year after leading the MLS club to their first-ever trophy - the Leagues Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo meanwhile, plays with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he has lifted the Arab Club Champions Cup.

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When Lionel Messi laid Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry to rest

In November 2023, Lionel Messi opened up about his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, suggesting that it had ended. This came after the Argentine legend won his eighth Ballon d'Or award.

Messi spoke about their rivalry, telling L'Equipe (via GOAL):

"It was a great battle, from a sporting point of view. We fed off each other's rivalry because we're both great competitors..."

"We stayed at the top for 10-15 years. It's very difficult to stay at that level and it's spectacular. And I think it remains a good memory for all those who followed us," he added.

Indeed, with the legendary duo now playing outside Europe, they are no longer at the top of world football. They both missed out on the nominations for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, signaling an end to an era they dominated for two decades.