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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are poised to renew one of the biggest rivalries in world football in the Champions League this season.
Juventus and Barcelona met in Group G of the highest European competition, facing the two best players of their generation once again.
The couple have won 11 of the last 12 Ballon d’or awards, the ceremony designed to crown the best soccer player in the world.
Messi’s six awards is the record, and his victory in 2019 put him one ahead of the Portuguese superstar.
On the pitch, it’s a rivalry that has seen the two face each other 35 times over a ten-year stretch between 2008 and 2018.
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
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It will be more than two years since their last meeting, with Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid for the Italian giants in the summer of 2018.
In their first competitive encounter, it was Ronaldo who had the last laugh, with Manchester United defeating Barcelona in a two-game Champions League semi-final.
Neither of them scored in those matches, but Messi would score his first against Ronaldo in the final the following year, as he inspired Barcelona to European glory in Rome.
(Image: Action Pictures)
It’s been a hectic and unique transfer window so far, so make sure you don’t miss a thing by signing up for the shiny new Mirror Football newsletter!
You may have noticed Jadon Sancho, Declan Rice, and more as the clubs buy their way through the summer. All the latest transfer news and great stories will go straight to your inbox. You will not miss it.
To register, put your email at the top of this article or follow the instructions at this link.
Ronaldo would then join Real Madrid and go on to forge, perhaps, the best domestic rivalry in all of football.
In the following 33 club and international matches, Messi scored 21 times, and Ronaldo’s 19 goals fell slightly behind.
Although his scoring production has been similar, the Argentine has enjoyed relative dominance in terms of results.
In the 30 Classics played in all competitions, the Catalan giants won 14 with him on the pitch, compared to just seven for Real during Ronaldo’s stay.
(Image: Getty Images)
Arguably Messi’s best moment at El Clásico came back in the top European competition in 2011, when he scored a double at the Bernabéu as Barça beat their old opponents.
Ronaldo also had his fair share of successes in the derby, with his win at the Camp Nou in 2012 going a long way towards ending Barcelona’s three La Liga title streak at the top.
(Image: Getty Images)
Fittingly, their last game together saw both players score in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
All eyes now turn to the accessory’s launch, when we will discover the dates of their long-awaited reunion.
Who will be the Champions League this season? Give us your opinion here.
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