5 iconic sporting pairs who are always discussed together

Cristiano Ronaldo – Lionel Messi

Messi and Ronaldo hold almost every La Liga record in existence

While Pele and Diego Maradona have drawn constant comparisons, modern-day football is rarely spoken of without a mention of Ronaldo and Messi. Considered among the best in the game today, the two have nine Ballons d’Or among them, five to Messi and four to Ronaldo.

Their playing styles are not necessarily similar, but the laurels the two have won go neck-and-neck, with both players backed by a robust fan following.

The two are portrayed as – and perhaps maintain very contrasting public images, Ronaldo more outgoing and social media friendly, while Messi largely maintains a low public profile apart from his professional life.

Both players hold almost every La Liga record in existence, and go neck-and-neck in terms of titles – while Ronaldo has one fewer Ballon d’Or than his Argentine rival, he has an international title that his rival does not.

They play each other during El Clasico, but even when they are not pitted against each other, it seems to fans as if the two greats are fighting to outdo each other, and beat each other’s ever-mounting set of records.

There have even been instances where a Ronaldo hat-trick, or a similar feat, has been repeated by Messi almost immediately in the diminutive Argentine’s next game.

And like many other greats, they share a camaraderie and respect off the field despite their intense rivalry, and that of their clubs – FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.