Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he “changed the history of football” alongside Lionel Messi but their rivalry is now “gone”.

Many people think of them as the best players of all time, and Real Madrid and Barcelona often played each other in Spain’s La Liga.

“We are respected all over the world, that’s the most important thing,” Ronaldo said.

“Five times” who won the Ballon d’Or Ronaldo hasn’t been on the list of finalists since 2003. Messi, on the other hand, could win it for the eighth time.

“He makes his way, I make mine. He’s done well, from what I’ve seen. It’s about continuing, the legacy continues,” added 38-year-old Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr.

When asked if hatred was a feature of their rivalry, he said: “Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi. I don’t see the rivalry like that.

“The rivalry is gone. It was good, the spectators liked it. We shared the stage for 15 years and ended up being, I’m not saying friends, but we are professional colleagues and we respect each other.”

Between them, the record-setting pair has won many of the game’s most prestigious awards.

Ronaldo scored 451 goals in 438 games for Real Madrid, making him the team’s all-time record goalscorer. He also won 16 trophies with the club, including four Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles, and two Copas del Rey, in his nine years at the Bernabeu.

Messi, who now plays in the United States for Inter Miami, holds the all-time records for goals and appearances for Barcelona, with 674 goals in 781 games.

The 36-year-old won 35 trophies with the club, including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, and the Copa del Rey seven times.

Messi won the World Cup in 2022 and the Copa America with Argentina. Ronaldo, on the other hand, won the European Championship and the Nations League with Portugal.

The two players have played against each other 36 times. Their last game was in January, when Messi’s team, Paris St. Germain, beat Ronaldo’s team, Riyadh Season XI, 5–4.