'The rivalry between us is over' - Cristiano Ronaldo settles GOAT debate with Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo may have just delivered the most important press conference in history after giving his thoughts on the rivalry between him and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo and Messi stayed at the top of the football chain for 15 years, dating back to when Ronaldo won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 and Messi his first in 2009.

There have been only two winners other than the two to lift the most coveted individual trophy in football since then - Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022.

Both men have left Europe; the Portuguese moved to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in January, while the 2022 World Cup winner moved to Inter Miami in the MLS in July.

Ronaldo settles GOAT debate

The raging and eternal debate on who is the greatest of all time between the two is one we may never see the end of, but with Ronaldo's comments at Portugal's press conference via ESPN, it may have to be put to bed.

“If you like Cristiano, you are not obligated to dislike Messi, We've both changed the history of football and are respected,” he said.

“The rivalry between us is over.”

“We shared the stage for 15 years. I'm not saying we're friends, but we respect each other,” he added.

The general belief is that what changed everything was Messi leading his country to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and becoming the most decorated footballer after winning the 2023 Leagues Cup with Inter Miami, his 44th trophy, surpassing Dani Alves.