Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: The individual award that Messi hasn’t won

• The Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate has been on for many years now
• However, things have cooled down in recent years, especially after Messi won the World Cup
• Even though Messi has overshadowed his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s a coveted individual award that is missing on his collection of awards

The Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate has been on for many years now with everyone backing their favourite player. However, things have cooled down in recent years, especially after Messi won the FIFA World Cup and claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or award, overshadowing his longtime rival.

The Argentine, who is currently playing in the MLS for Inter Miami, recently said in a rare interview that he no longer has dreams in football because he has achieved everything.

Lionel Messi. Photo/ Major League Soccer.

“At a sporting level I was lucky to be able to achieve all my dreams and the truth is that I couldn’t ask for more. Thank God he gave me so much on a professional and human level, as well as with my family, my friends.” Lionel Messi said on the Big Time podcast, as per Tribuna.

Lionel Messi started his journey to the top by winning the La Liga title at the end of the 2004-05 season. From there, he went on to win nine other La Liga titles while playing for Barcelona, with the last one being in 2019. He also won seven Copa del Rey trophies and seven Supercopa de Espana titles.

Still with the Spanish giants, he went on to win a total of four UEFA Champions League titles and also added three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups to his trophy cabinet.

After leaving Barcelona in 2021 and signing with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi won two consecutive Ligue 1 titles and Trophee des Champions. His cup victories at club level did not end there as he went on to add the Leagues Cup to his collection last year after a move to the MLS.

At international level, Lionel Messi led Argentina to Copa America triumph in 2021. He then played a massive role as his side thrashed Italy to win the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions title in 2022.

Later that year, the Argentine did what left many saying that he had completed football – won the FIFA World Cup. This was the only major trophy missing in Messi’s accolade and he cemented his ‘GOAT’ status by winning it as well as reduced the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate.

Lionel Messi won the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Photo/ Times Now.

The Individual Award Keeping The Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Lionel Messi Debate Alive

While Lionel Messi deserve to be crowned the greatest player of his generation (it’s just an honest opinion Cristiano Ronaldo fans), there is one individual award that he is still missing. This award is what is still keeping the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate alive.

Two decades since starting his career, Messi is yet to win the Puskas Award. This award has grown to become one of the most prestigious awards, although it’s not in the same heights as the Ballon d’Or. Some of the big names in the football world that have won the Puskas include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Olivier Giroud, Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr.

Cristiano Ronaldo fans will take pride in knowing that the Portugal international is a previous winner of the coveted award which Messi hasn’t won.

When Will Lionel Messi Retire?

Lionel Messi will be turning 37 in the summer, which is not good news to football fans as his time on the pitch is coming close to an end. However, fans have every reason to be happy as the Argentine is not planning to retire any time soon. Messi said on the Big Time podcast that he will continue playing as long as he feels he can still do it.

Lionel Messi. Photo/ ESPN.

“When I feel it’s time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age. If I feel good I will always try to continue competing because that’s what I like and what I know how to do.” Lionel Messi said on the Big Time podcast, as per Goal.com.