“It’s not luck” - Benteke on drawing inspiration from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after beating Inter Miami captain to MLS Golden Boot
DC United marksman Christian Benteke has shared his views about getting inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after beating the latter to the MLS Golden Boot this season. The Belgian forward has scored 23 goals in 30 games for DC United in the MLS this season - three more than Lionel Messi who has 20 in 19 games.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are widely considered two of the best players to have ever played the sport. They have scored more than 1700 goals (combined) between them. They had established an uncontested duopoly over the Ballon d'Or - football's most coveted individual award - in their primes. While the Argentine won it a record eight times, the Portuguese won it five times.
Messi and Ronaldo are currently at the tail end of their careers but are still considered two of the greatest players in the game. While Lionel Messi is filling stadiums with the MLS outfit Inter Miami, Cristiano Ronaldo is breaking records with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Speaking about their longevity and physical fitness in a recent interview with BBC Sport, Benteke lavished praise on Messi and Ronaldo's discipline and work ethic.
"Messi and Ronaldo are four or five years older than me and they still play, so who are we not to push ourselves?" said the Belgian striker.
He continued:
"It’s not luck. It’s hard work. They look after their bodies, which is something we can all do. We might not have their qualities or everything they have but as a high-elite athlete, we can all look after our bodies."
Christian Benteke was a prolific goalscorer in his prime and is still considered one of the best in the MLS. The Belgian spent most of his career at English clubs Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, playing 177 and 101 games for the two clubs respectively. He currently has 184 goals and 63 assists in 530 club games in his career.
For Belgium, the 33-year-old played 45 games, registering 18 goals and seven assists.
"I never saw him as a rival" - Cristiano Ronaldo once opened up about his relationship with Lionel Messi
The Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi debate has been the focal point of most footballing discourses over the last two decades. Both of them have dominated the game, unlike any two players in the history of the sport.
During the 2020-21 season, Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus and Lionel Messi's Barcelona were drawn into the same Champions League group. It was at this time that Ronaldo spoke about his bond with Lionel Messi in an interview with Movistar.
"I have always had a cordial relationship with Messi. As I have said before, for 12, 13, 14 years (I have been) sharing prizes with him. I never saw him as a rival. He always tried the best for his team, and I tried the best for mine," said the Portuguese.
He concluded by saying:
"I always got on well with him. I am sure he will say the same if you ask him. But we know in football, people always look for a rivalry to create more excitement."
Their rivalry started in earnest when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009. From then on, El Clasicos became a global spectacle with the two titans facing off against each other every season.
The two have faced each other 18 times in LaLiga with Lionel Messi dominating with 10 wins. The Portuguese has won four while the remaining four have resulted in a stalemate.