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The year 2017, is claimed to be the time when footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were at their peak, dominating LaLiga and FC Barcelona, respectively. Ronaldo, then 32, had just led Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double, scoring 42 goals across all competitions, including pivotal strikes in the Champions League final against Juventus. Messi, meanwhile, had delivered another stellar season for Barcelona, scoring 54 goals and winning the Copa del Rey, though his team trailed Real Madrid in the league. Their reported rivalry made the race for Ballon d’Or more competitive, with Ronaldo holding four awards and Messi leading with five. Eventually, the 2017 award would tie them at five apiece, a significant milestone in their storied rivalry.
A recent report from 2017 by Spanish outlet Don Balon claims that Cristiano Ronaldo made a “secret” phone call to Lionel Messi prior to the 2017 Ballon d’Or ceremony to inform him of his victory. According to the report, a leak from France Football, the magazine organizing the Ballon d’Or, revealed Ronaldo as the 2017 winner before the official ceremony on December 7. The leak, which initially sparked speculation that Messi might claim the prize due to a circulated magazine cover featuring him, prompted Ronaldo to personally call his Barcelona rival. It is said that this revelation has brought an eight years old incident shedding light on the mutual respect they had despite their lack of personal friendship.
Phone call was reportedly Ronaldo’s way of clarifying the result amid media frenzy
It is said that the timing of the call was notable. The call, as reported, may have been Ronaldo’s way of clarifying the outcome amid the media frenzy, ensuring transparency with his rival. It is also claimed that Ronaldo’s confidence stemmed from his Champions League and La Liga triumphs, which gave him an edge over Messi’s individual brilliance that season. The alleged call underscores the complex dynamic of their rivalry, blending fierce competition with professional admiration. Their LaLiga days were considered as the peak of their rivalry, with their “El-Classico” matches reportedly drawing global audiences of over 400 million.
The 2017 Ballon d’Or was a pivotal moment in the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, which has seen them amass 13 awards between 2008 and 2023 (Messi with eight, Ronaldo with five). Their dominance was briefly interrupted in 2018 by Luka Modric, who won for his role in Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph and Croatia’s World Cup final run. Messi later reclaimed the lead, winning in 2019, 2021, and 2023, while Ronaldo’s last victory remains 2017.
