Lionel Messi has now broken his silence on eclipsing records previously held by his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The two superstars have been locked in a rivalry that dates back to the late 2010s, with the pair sharing 12 Ballon d'Or awards between them.
Read: Messi breaks silence on 'rift' with fans at PSG
During this period, the duo have broken countless individual records as well, with both having reached the 700-career-goals mark while building a cult following, which has in turn led to what feels like a life-long football debate, although some argue that the Argentine has now moved clear following his FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar in December.
With the two players are now seemingly unlikely to play in the same league again as they are set to be based in Saudi Arabia and the United States in the coming campaigns, Messi has now opened up about his rivalry with the Portuguese superstar.
Asked recently if breaking Ronaldo's record mattered to him, the 2022 World Cup winner told beIN Sport. "No, just a little bit. As I said before, at this stage of my career, I don't focus on that anymore.
"I focus on what I was able to achieve with Argentina and the club level where I was lucky enough to win important titles like the UCL or Club World Cup, leagues, cups.
"I was lucky enough to win everything, and that's really what will remain at the end of my career.
"Of course, you have the goals and records, but I think they are secondary apart from the fact that they are nice recognitions."
Read: Part 2 l 'I had problems with the coach at Swallows'
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: