Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reveal toughest opponents of their careers with shock player included

Football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have both picked out the toughest opponents of their careers so far.

Over the years, both Ronaldo and Messi have often battled at the top of the game.

Their fiercest battles came when Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid and Messi was at Barcelona.

Both players will forever be remembered as two of the best to ever play the game, having won a combined total of 13 Ballon d'Ors.

The pair have also played against some of the world's best players, but were there any that stood out?

Cristiano Ronaldo names Premier League legend as his toughest opponent

Ronaldo once admitted that former England, Chelsea and Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole, was the toughest opponent he ever faced.

The pair went head-to-head on several occasions while playing in the Premier League and on international duty in games between England and Portugal.

"Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole”, Ronaldo told Coach Mag. “He does not give you a second to breathe.

"He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi played against each other back in 2023. Image: Getty

Lionel Messi picks out shock defender as his toughest opposition player

Meanwhile, Messi's toughest opponent is not quite as famous.

Speaking back in 2020, Messi said via FourFourTwo: "Pablo Maffeo of Girona was the toughest. I've never been one who complains, but that [match] was intense!"

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was referring to Barcelona's 3-0 win over the Girona back in 2017, when 20-year-old Maffeo, who was then on loan from Manchester City, man-marked him.

Speaking after the game, the defender, who now plays for Mallorca, explained (quotes via GiveMeSport): "Messi told me: 'I've got you here for the whole day' and I said: ’You're the best in the world, I'm not going to leave you.

"He asked me how old I was, if I had been assigned by Manchester City and what it was like there. He said the marking was not pleasant.

"Messi and I were together the whole match. He has asked me a couple of things. He is a good person."