Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could come face-to-face on a football pitch again on Wednesday night as Juventus host Barcelona in the Champions League – live on talkSPORT 2.
It would be the first time in 2 years, 5 months, and 22 days that the modern greats have taken to the field together following the former’s move to Italy.
It will go down as one of the greatest on-field rivalries in history as both players did all they could to be crowned the best player in the world.
Between them, 11 of the last 12 Ballons d’Or have been won by the pair, with Luka Modric pipping them both in 2018.
The duo are friendly off the pitch, often seen chatting with their families at awards ceremonies, but when the whistle blows and both are on the field only winning matters.
No doubt Wednesday night, under the floodlights in Turin it will be another thrilling encounter – if Ronaldo is passed fit to play.
The Portugal hero, 36, tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty earlier this month.
He’s currently self-isolating in Italy after travelling via a private air ambulance in a bid to avoid breaking protocols in the nation where he plies his trade, although Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora has revealed the player is being investigated for a possible breach.
Ronaldo must test negative for coronavirus before he is available for selection against Barcelona but it’s a race against time.
Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo said on Saturday: “As far as Cristiano Ronaldo is concerned, there has been no news. We await the results of the swabs.
“We did them this morning. He underwent the test at his home and if there is new news it will be communicated.”
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The watching world will be hoping Ronaldo is passed fit for the clash so he and Messi can lock horns once again – it’s been far too long.
But what is there head-to-head record? talkSPORT.com have taken a look at the statistics.
Ronaldo v Messi
Matches – 34
Ronaldo wins – 9
Ronaldo goals – 18
Ronaldo assists – 1
Draws – 9
Messi wins – 16
Messi goals – 21
Messi assists – 12
So, when it comes to their head-to-head record, it’s Messi who is the victor.
The Argentine has seven more wins in games between the two players, while he has three more goals than Ronaldo, and an astonishing 11 assists, showing his all-round impact in games.
Back in 2018, their last match against each other was a 2-2 draw in LaLiga between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Ronaldo only managed 45 minutes of football but still claimed a goal, as did Messi, with the pair ending their historic Spanish rivalry with the spoils shared.
We don’t know yet if the two will share a pitch again on Wednesday but it promises to be an intriguing match if they do, particularly after Barcelona’s 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in Saturday’s Clasico.
You can listen to live commentary of Juventus v Barcelona on Wednesday night at 8pm on talkSPORT 2
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