Few debates in soccer ignite as much passion as the Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi comparison, and analyzing the finals they’ve lost offers a unique lens on their resilience and careers. Few debates in soccer history spark as much passion as the comparison between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

According to a new report from Forbes, Cristiano Ronaldo once again leads the list of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2025, finishing ahead of Lionel Messi.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have a long-standing rivalry, but the Portuguese forward's past comments about the pair's partners showed a different side to their relationship