Manu Fernandez/Associated Press
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi believes the rivalry he has shared with Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo will "remain forever."
The pair are considered the finest players of their generation, as they have set new benchmarks for consistent goalscoring. Messi recently claimed his sixth Ballon d'Or prize, while Ronaldo has earned the accolade on five occasions.
The comparisons between the pair were most intense when Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid, the great rivals of Barcelona, in La Liga. Speaking to DAZN (h/t Kieran Francis of Goal), Messi said the presence of Ronaldo made for an enjoyable battle:
"It was a special duel, and it will remain forever because it lasted many years and it is not easy to maintain certain levels for a long time.