Looking back at Ronaldo and Messi’s journey in 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest footballers of all time, and their rivalry has been one of the most compelling storylines in the sport for over a decade. In 2023, both players had very different journeys, with Ronaldo leaving Europe for the Saudi Professional League and Messi winning the Ballon d’Or for a record seventh time.
Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia
In January 2023, Ronaldo left Manchester United after 12 years and signed with Al Nassr of the Saudi Professional League. The move was met with mixed reactions, with some critics questioning Ronaldo’s decision to move to a league that is not as competitive as the Premier League.
Despite the criticism, Ronaldo has been a success in Saudi Arabia. He has scored 36 goals in 27 appearances for Al Nassr, and he has helped the team to win the Saudi Professional League title.
Messi’s Ballon d’Or win
In December 2022, Messi led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup. It was Argentina’s first World Cup title since 1986, and it was a personal triumph for Messi, who had been criticized for his lack of success at international level.
Messi’s World Cup win was a major factor in his winning the Ballon d’Or for a record seventh time. He also had a successful season for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 30 goals in 34 appearances.
Conclusion
2023 was a year of change for both Ronaldo and Messi. Ronaldo left Europe for the first time in his career, while Messi won his first Ballon d’Or since 2019. It will be interesting to see how their careers progress in the years to come.
