In one of the most intense football rivalries of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shared a moment of mutual respect away from the spotlight
in 2017. According to a report by Spanish publication Don Balon, Ronaldo allegedly made a private phone call to Messi before the official Ballon d'Or ceremony, informing him of his impending win.
At that point, Ronaldo had won four Ballon d'Or titles, while Messi had five. The 2017 award, which Ronaldo claimed for his standout performances with Real Madrid, brought the tally level at five each-a historic moment in the duo's decade-long rivalry.
The report suggests that Ronaldo, upon learning of the result through a leak, contacted Messi to share the news personally. Messi, then at Barcelona, reportedly congratulated Ronaldo, offering a glimpse into the mutual admiration that exists between the two despite their fierce on-field competition.
Interestingly, just weeks before the official announcement on December 7, an image from France Football surfaced online hinting that Messi would win, sparking confusion. The confirmation of Ronaldo as the winner ended the speculation, reinforcing how closely followed their award battles had become.
Though their dominance was broken in 2018 by Luka Modric-who led Croatia to a World Cup final and helped Real Madrid to a third straight Champions League title-Messi reclaimed the Ballon d'Or multiple times afterward, eventually reaching a record eight wins. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has not added to his tally since 2017.
Between 2008 and 2023, the two legends collected a combined 13 Ballon d'Or awards, shaping modern football history. Yet, are they friends beyond the game?
In a candid June 2025 interview with DSports, Messi clarified: "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. "
So, while they may not be best friends, their legacy is rooted in mutual respect and unparalleled greatness.
