Luiz Felipe Scolari, the former Portugal national team coach, has revealed the philosophical difference between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi that shaped his voting choices in Ballon d'Or polls across two decades. Speaking to Brazilian media outlet Abre Aspas, Scolari explained how a direct conversation with the Argentine legend influenced his perspective on football's greatest rivalry.
During his tenure as Portugal's manager from 2003 to 2008, Scolari consistently voted for Ronaldo in the annual awards ceremonies. When Messi confronted him about this pattern, the Brazilian coach offered a candid explanation rooted in his beliefs about natural talent versus hard work. "Messi is a genius. If he closes his eyes, he knows where the ball is," Scolari stated. "Cristiano wasn't born a genius. He became a genius through his will and dedication."
The Manchester United Years: Obsessive Excellence
Scolari painted a vivid portrait of Ronaldo's relentless work ethic during his early Manchester United days. Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly called the Portugal coach repeatedly, expressing concern about the young winger's excessive training sessions. "Ferguson would call me and say, 'Scolari, tell him not to take free kicks today, because he's already taken 30 here,'" Scolari recounted. "Then he'd arrive at the national team and want to take another 30. That's his dedication."
This obsessive pursuit of perfection, rather than innate genius, defined Ronaldo's trajectory as a forward and left winger. Scolari believes this mentality will eventually propel Ronaldo to achieve 1,000 career goals—a historic milestone no footballer has reached. When asked directly if he was chasing this target, Ronaldo denied it, but Scolari saw through the modesty: "Ah... you're not fooling me."
A Father's Final Match
One of Scolari's most emotional memories involves delivering tragic news to Ronaldo. Shortly before a crucial World Cup qualifier in Moscow, Scolari learned that Ronaldo's father, Dinis Aveiro, had passed away. Rather than requesting compassionate leave, Ronaldo chose to play and delivered a man-of-the-match performance. "He was the best player on the field in that game," Scolari said, visibly moved. This moment deepened their bond far beyond the tactical realm.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America approaches—likely the final tournament for both Ronaldo and Messi—their contrasting legacies remain unresolved. Ronaldo pursues the sole major trophy missing from his collection, while Messi aims to defend Argentina's world championship crown. The rivalry that defined a generation of football may well conclude on North American soil.
