Barcelona – Juventus | Messi vs. Cristiano: the rivalry that transcends football

The contest between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the football throne, reduced after the Portuguese farewell to Real Madrid, has a very unique reunion. The European duel between Barcelona and Juventus will serve to reproduce a rivalry that has been subdued in the last two years between two of the best of all time, who alternated at the world top for more than a decade. An era to which no similar precedent is known and which exposes the greatness of two unique players whose sporting competence has transcended beyond football. Their hegemony is expressed in magnificent numbers, unprecedented in contemporary football, which attract continuous comparisons between the two.

The passage of time seems to have worn neither Messi nor Cristiano. They have accused him of some qualities of his game skeleton, but his conversion processes have mitigated a decline that would be logical. The evolution of his styles, with Messi as the total generator and Cristiano closer to the role of a classic striker, is as evident as it is commendable. The Argentine plays where and how he wants, the Portuguese treads more and more in the area. The map of movements during his career has undergone a progressive variation and refers to the need to continue being absolute references. Messi and Cristiano have changed as they changed the history of their clubs and, in the case of the Portuguese, of their selection.

The Champions, that cup so beautiful and desired in Messi's words, has been many times the measure used to define the superiority of one over the other. Although the Argentine has a better balance in individual matches, Cristiano's global records in the top continental competition are better. In the final rounds the Portuguese seems to be more reliable, as shown by the lower statistics. Regardless of this disparity, both collect records of all kinds in continental competition that show the impressive achievements they have achieved during their careers.

With 35 years Cristiano, for Messi's 33, the confrontation between Barcelona and Juventus may be the last time that both meet on the pitch. It is not just any date. When it comes to rivalry, there has possibly been no equal in the annals of football and almost in sport. Their battle at the top represents one of the best stories ever. Messi against Cristiano. I wish it would never end.