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 intriguing storylines in the sport for over a decade. In 2023, both players have had very different journeys, with Ronaldo leaving Europe for the Saudi Professional Football League and Messi winning the Ballon d’Or for a record seventh time.
Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia
In January 2023, Ronaldo left Manchester United after 12 years and signed for Al Nassr of the Saudi Professional League. This move was met with mixed reactions, with some critics questioning Ronaldo’s decision to move to a non-competitive league like the Premier League.
Despite criticism, Ronaldo is still successful in Saudi Arabia. He scored 36 goals in 27 appearances for Al Nassr and helped the team win the Saudi Professional League championship.
Messi won the Golden Ball
In December 2022, Messi led Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup. This was Argentina’s first World Cup win since 1986, and it was a personal victory for Messi, who has been criticized for his lack of success at international level.
Messi’s World Cup victory was a key factor in helping him win the Golden Ball for a record seventh time. He also had a successful season for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 30 goals in 34 appearances.
Conclusion
2023 is a year of many changes 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 coming years.
