Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest football players ever, have spent their careers battling for the title of the world's best. Over the years, they’ve faced off in some of the most iconic matches, notably during Ronaldo's time at Real Madrid and Messi’s at Barcelona. Now, both players have revealed who they believe were the toughest opponents they ever faced on the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s names toughest opponent - Ashley Cole
Ronaldo, known for his incredible speed and skill, once acknowledged former England and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole as his most challenging opponent. The two faced off multiple times in both the Premier League and international matches between Portugal and England.
Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole, Ronaldo shared with Coach Mag. He does not give you a second to breathe. He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak—quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game.
Ronaldo’s respect for Cole stems from his relentless defensive style. The English left-back was known for his excellent positional play, speed, and ability to shut down even the most skilled attackers. For Ronaldo, facing off against Cole was a test of both technical ability and mental endurance.
Lionel Messi’s names toughest opponent - Pablo Maffeo
For Messi, however, his toughest opponent might come as a surprise to many. The Argentine forward has faced numerous world-class defenders throughout his career, but in 2020, he revealed that it was a young, less known defender—Pablo Maffeo—who provided him with the toughest challenge.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, Messi reflected on the match where he faced Maffeo during a 3-0 Barcelona win over Girona in 2017. Maffeo, who was on loan from Manchester City at the time, was tasked with marking Messi closely throughout the game.
Messi told me: 'I've got you here for the whole day,' Maffeo recalled in an interview with GiveMeSport. I said: ‘You're the best in the world, I’m not going to leave you.’
Maffeo’s physical and intense approach to marking Messi caught the attention of the football world. The young defender, now playing for Mallorca, said that Messi even engaged in friendly conversation during the game, despite the high stakes. Messi’s admiration for Maffeo's performance speaks volumes about the defender's skill, even as a relative unknown at the time.
A legacy of competition and respect
Both Ronaldo and Messi’s recognition of these tough opponents highlights the incredible competition and mutual respect that has defined their careers. From Ronaldo’s battles with Ashley Cole to Messi’s challenging encounter with Pablo Maffeo, these stories remind us that even the greatest players in the world face intense challenges, adding to the legend of their careers.