Ronaldo makes rare admission about his envy of Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Two names that have defined an era of football, sparking heated debates among fans over who is truly the greatest of all time. But even with five Ballon d’Ors to his name, Ronaldo has admitted there’s one thing his archrival Messi can do better than him — something he wishes he could steal.

In a rare moment of vulnerability back in 2016, Ronaldo openly praised Messi’s left foot, admitting it’s a quality he envies. “His left foot is pretty good — better than mine. I’d like to have his left foot,” Ronaldo said ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where he, Messi, and Neymar were all vying for the top honor.

Read More:

What Messi secretly thinks about Manchester United

The exchange offered a glimpse behind the rivalry’s curtain. Neymar chimed in with his own praise, saying he’d take “both of Messi’s feet.” But Messi, never one to indulge in comparisons, calmly responded that while he respects Ronaldo, he doesn’t envy any of his rival’s skills.

Now, with Messi holding an unprecedented eight Ballon d’Ors after his 2023 win, the two continue to make history. Ronaldo may have the record for the most nominations, but perhaps it’s Messi’s famous left foot that remains Ronaldo’s true “goal.”