Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be arch-rivals, but there is one area where we are yet to see them compete.
The football icons have gone head-to-head for some of the game’s biggest prizes over the past twenty years, and fans online have now looked to add a new element of competition to their rivalry.
Credit: YouTube: @MotionAthleteA 3D simulation has swapped the football pitch for the athletics track as the pair’s battle ground[/caption]
In a video shared by MotionAthlete on YouTube, the legendary pair are pitted against each other in a 100m race.
Taking to the start line, the duo are fully kitted out in international colours, with Messi sporting the Argentina strip, whilst Ronaldo dons the red and green of Portugal.
And despite both players boasting hugely impressive traits which have seen them cement their place among the greatest footballers of all time, it appears that the race caters best to Ronaldo’s strengths.
The Al Nassr star has been renowned for his pace and athleticism throughout his career, and has shown no signs of slowing down.
At Euro 2024, aged 39, he clocked a top speed of 32.7kmh – the fastest he has registered at any Euros since data started being collected in 2012.
And this is on full display during the simulated race, as Ronaldo sprints ahead almost immediately, establishing a healthy lead before running out a comfortable winner over Messi.
The Portuguese star crosses the line in 11.15 seconds, with the time being calculated based on his average speeds in recent years, and taking into consideration the shorter distances he tends to cover on the pitch.
Meanwhile, his Argentine rival comes in at 11.95 seconds, having reached a top speed of 32.5km/h in his prime.
And unfortunately for Messi, even a head start does little to help him.
A second animated race allows the World Cup-winning captain to take off ahead of Ronaldo, before he is soon caught up with and pipped at the finish line.
Credit: YouTube: @MotionAthleteRonaldo races to a comfortable victory in the animated race, with Messi well behind[/caption]
GettyThe pair have battled in out on football’s biggest stages for decades[/caption]
Being a fierce competitor, the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend will no doubt be delighted with his victory, especially after being shown up in a previous fictional race.
In a separate simulated race shared online, Ronaldo comes in third place behind 100m world record holder Usain Bolt and an ostrich in bizarre footage.
A defeat here is unlikely to play heavily on Messi’s mind, however, with the Inter Miami hero having bragging rights in other areas.
After lifting a second Copa America title with his national team over the summer, the 37-year-old has now won more trophies than any player in football history, with 45 career titles to his name.
He also boasts the ultimate prize, having led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.
In terms of individual accolades, Messi’s eight Ballon d’Or wins place him ahead of Ronaldo, who has himself been crowned the world’s best player on five occasions.
But with the Portugal skipper the game’s greatest ever goalscorer, having recently hit the 900-goal mark, it is fair to say success has been shared between the pair – who are likely to go down in history as the greatest footballers in the history of the game.
