The moment many consider the start of the modern era of football’s greatest rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo is in 2007 when the pair played together in Argentina. History quietly changed at the 2007 FIFA awards ceremony in Zurich.
Kaka was just crowned the FIFA World Player of the Year after an outstanding season at the time. Two young talents were already making great strides behind him. Lionel Messi was second, while Cristiano Ronaldo was third. Both were not the world dominant powers they would become.
The moment was awkward enough when Brazil’s soccer icon Pelé accidentally tossed the trophy to Cristiano Ronaldo, the runner-up. With FIFA president Sepp Blatter having to step in to correct the exchange, he invited both players to swap trophies. The moment was a bit awkward and soon became a part of football folklore.
In retrospect, it was more than just a ceremony mistake. This was the start of a change in the dynamics of football. Messi and Ronaldo would take over individual awards over the next decade, such as the Ballon d’Or and FIFA trophies. They have won the bulk of the top international accolades since 2007. They were constantly pushing each other to new heights of consistency and excellence in football.
The competition wasn’t just about the numbers, it was about transforming the culture of football. Fans, media and clubs were split in preference and a global debate ensued, which would last for almost 20 years. They were not just active in the clubs and countries and their impact was felt beyond just that, in the way the sport is talked about globally.
The beginning of a football era of two extraordinary careers running in parallel, what began as a simple moment of an awards night in Zurich.
