Since the Messi vs Ronaldo debate has started to exist in the football world, it divided the football circuit into two groups. Not only the fans, but the never-ending debate has sparked controversies among football pundits as well. Over the years, they have judged the brilliance of these two with lots of different metrics. But the answer remained undecided. While their fans argued with each other, both Messi and Ronaldo maintained a very cordial relationship with each other. Be it award ceremonies or on the pitch, the duo shared a number of moments together and there was always respect between the two. However, it is quite unusual that both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t collect each other’s shirts at any given match.
The start of the rivalry:
Ronaldo played against Messi a number of times now, but the first one will be always special. In the 2007/08 season, Manchester United was drawn against Barcelona in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t affect the game much, but who knew that would have been the start of an extraordinary battle. Later, when Cristiano Ronaldo left United to join Real Madrid, the real battle started between them. The El Clasicos was too much to handle for any of the football fans as they both used to dominate the pitch. Although they never engaged in any dirty personal duel, they strangely never collected each other’s shirts after the match. This clearly suggests that no matter how much they come out clean in public, there has been a slight ego clash between them.
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Messi’s legendary shirt collection:
Other than his brilliance on the pitch, Lionel Messi is known for his legendary collection of shirts. The Argentine has collected every shirt of his compatriots whenever he had a chance to play against them. According to The Mirror, “I don’t ask for shirts, I usually swap them, but I asked Zidane once,” Messi told TyC Sports. “If there is an Argentine I swap it with him, but, unless someone asks me, I’m not asking anyone,” he added. So, now it makes sense that why Leo Messi doesn’t own a Cristiano Ronaldo shirt in his collection. However, it consists of Madrid legends Iker Casillas and Raul.
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In the case of Ronaldo. he doesn’t seem to be a fanatic of swapping shirts at all. During his career, he was never seemed to ask any other player’s shirt. So, it is understandable why he doesn’t own a Leo Messi shirt in his collections either.
Two of the greatest ever to play the beautiful sport have enriched our lives with a magnificent long rivalry. And they might have ignored each other in swapping shirts, but the relationship they share is more than enough for any fans to enjoy them both.
