Australian rapper Iggy Azalea recently shared her preference in the ongoing Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate, choosing the Argentine star for his modest nature. Though both athletes are nearing the end of their illustrious careers, they continue to represent peak football greatness worldwide.
The division among fans over who holds the title of the greatest remains sharp. Lionel Messi boasts an illustrious record, including a FIFA World Cup victory and a remarkable eight Ballon d’Or awards. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, continues to impress even at 40 years old, having scored 938 goals in 1,281 appearances, with the ambitious milestone of reaching 1,000 goals in sight.
During a livestream hosted by Kick streamer N3on on Monday, Azalea was prompted to pick her favorite between Messi and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo. According to Mundo Deportivo, she immediately sided with Messi.
“I like Messi more,” said Azalea.
Azalea clarified her reasoning, highlighting Messi’s humility in contrast to Ronaldo’s more self-focused image.
“[Cristiano] is just a little into his abs and stuff. Messi is a little bit more humble,” said Azalea.
Currently, Messi is in the last half-year of his contract with Inter Miami, with no new agreement yet announced. Meanwhile, Ronaldo renewed his contract this summer with Al-Nassr and is gearing up for the upcoming season.
Understanding the Relationship Between Messi and Ronaldo
Although fans often pit Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as fierce rivals, Messi has previously admitted that they do not share a friendship off the field. The two icons have consistently pushed one another to excel during their careers, fueling one of football’s most famous rivalries.
In an interview with DSports last June, Messi expressed deep respect for Ronaldo’s sustained excellence.
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and for the career he’s had and continues to have, because he’s still competing at the highest level,” said Messi.
He added further insight into their relationship:
“The competition with him was on the pitch. Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. Obviously, as always, everything stayed on the field. Off the pitch, we are two normal people. We’re not friends obviously because we don’t spend time together, but we’ve always treated each other with a lot of respect.”
Throughout their careers, these two legends have faced off in 36 matches. Messi has emerged victorious in 16 encounters, while Ronaldo has won 11 times, illustrating the close but intense nature of their competition.
The Legacy and Future of Two Football Icons
The ongoing Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate captivates football fans globally, not only because of their contrasting playing styles but also their differing personalities. Iggy Azalea’s admiration for Messi’s humility adds a unique perspective to this conversation, emphasizing character alongside skill.
With Messi’s contract situation still unresolved and Ronaldo continuing to chase new milestones with Al-Nassr, fans eagerly await how the final chapters of their legendary careers will unfold. Their rivalry, marked by mutual respect and relentless pursuit of excellence, has left an indelible mark on the sport’s history and will inspire future generations.