Cristiano Ronaldo to test Lionel Messi in fiercest of rivalries
Real Madrid and Barcelona foes will compete for bragging rights as world's best
Cristiano Ronaldo will try to outshine Lionel Messi on his return to Old Trafford when the two best players in the world clash in a friendly between Portugal and Argentina tonight.
Real Madrid forward Ronaldo and Barcelona striker Messi are locked in a battle to prove themselves the top player on the planet and their latest showdown comes on the former home turf of the Portugal icon.
Adding spice to their rivalry with Spain's two superpowers is the speculation that they aren't on good terms off the pitch either.
I have done what I have to do. I have won major titles, I have beaten other records, and I now have to wait calmly for the votes
Whatever the status of their personal relationship, the duo have deservedly become serial trophy collectors over the last decade, with team and individual prizes hoovered up on a regular basis.
Messi has won the Champions League three times and Ronaldo twice, while Messi has six league titles in Spain and Ronaldo three with Manchester United and one with Real.
Between them they have won the past six coveted Ballon D'Or contests, awarded to the player voted the world's best by managers, players and journalists.
Argentina star Messi has been voted the winner four times in that period and has come second to Ronaldo the other two years.
Ronaldo hopes to add a third gong this year, and few would disagree if he pipped Messi and several contenders from the German World Cup winning team.
