{"id":155,"date":"2023-10-11T02:17:48","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T02:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/goal-to-goal\/?p=155"},"modified":"2023-10-11T16:12:29","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T16:12:29","slug":"the-greatest-rivalry-in-the-history-of-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalwriting.cornellcollege.edu\/goal-to-goal\/2023\/10\/11\/the-greatest-rivalry-in-the-history-of-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"The Greatest Rivalry in the History of Sport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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(Source: DeviantArt)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Rivalry between Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi and Portugal\u2019s Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the greatest players of all time, has lasted over fifteen years now. Watching them perform their magic on the pitch has been breathtaking, and little did they know that the show they used to put on for the fans when they were young would propel them to superstardom. In fact, their rivalry has even transcended the sport of football as Ronaldo and Messi are the two most followed people in the world on Instagram<\/a>, with a combined 1 billion follower count. Unfortunately, the two are well past their prime now in terms of ability to perform, but that does not diminish their greatness one bit. So, let\u2019s look back at the greatest footballing story ever told.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the Argentine superstar, it all began in 1991 when he started playing football at just four years old. Lionel Messi was born to a working class family where he was encouraged, by his grandmother, to play football from a young age at the local club. Unfortunately, at the age of 11, he was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Disorder<\/a>. The treatment cost a lot but it was graciously taken up by FC Barcelona after the executives were mesmerized by his ability on the pitch. Leo signed his first contract with the club at just the age of 13. Hesitant to leave his family behind to play football in Barcelona, he was again encouraged by his grandmother to do so. When she tragically passed away, Messi dedicated his celebration to her, and does so to this day. He then worked his way up from the youth squad to the first team and the rest, as they say, is history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Messi pointing toward his Grandmother up in the Heavens (Source: SportsJoe)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Portuguese sensation was born in 1985 to a poverty stricken household and he started playing at just 9 years old. At the age of 15, Cristiano Ronaldo was diagnosed with a heart condition<\/a>. He needed surgery but luckily made a full recovery, and went on to make his debut with Sporting Lisbon, one of the premier football clubs in Portugal. His electrifying performances on the football pitch made fans quickly fall in love with him, and a successful season with Sporting brought the young player to the attention of one of Europe\u2019s biggest clubs. In 2003, he signed with Manchester United, becoming the first Portuguese player ever to join the celebrated British squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Starting For Sporting Lisbon Against Manchester United, his future club, in the Champions League (Source: <\/em>SkySports)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Young Stunners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both Ronaldo and Messi suffered tragedies throughout their childhoods, but they did not let that stop them. In fact, they kept performing to the best of their abilities to arrive at Europe\u2019s best clubs and showcase their talents in front of the entire world.
Ronaldo was an instant star at Manchester United. Other-worldly dribbling coupled with amazing skills and rocket like shot power, he quickly became a fan favorite. Breaking records just a few years after signing with the British Giant, he guided the team to numerous league titles and even a Champions League title, which is the toughest competition in Europe to win. At the end of the 2007-08 season, he earned the European Golden Shoe Award<\/a> and even won the Ballon D’or (the most prestigious individual award in world football).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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