During the 21st century, we have witnessed 2 of the greatest footballers of all time go head-to-head, competing for some of the most prestigious trophies at both club and individual levels. It is rare to witness a player with such a high level of ability, never mind seeing two players dominate for decades and inspire a whole new generation. From a time before online casino slots to the modern day, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have redefined the sport, and there is no bigger honour than being able to say you had the opportunity to play alongside one of them.
BoyleSports, home to many games where users can play slingo online, takes a look at some very fortunate players who had the privilege of playing alongside two of the greatest players of all time.
Achraf Hakimi
Despite being born in Madrid, the Moroccan international and club captain Achraf Hakimi has had a great career, playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world and performing on some of the biggest stages the sport has to offer. During his time in Real Madrid’s first team, from 2017 to 2020, the fullback had the opportunity to share the pitch a total of 8 times with Cristiano, featuring in both La Liga and the Champions League. This was only a short stint as Ronaldo would move on to Juventus in 2018, and eventually Hakimi would depart for a loan deal to Borussia Dortmund that same year.
Later in his career, Hakimi moved to French giants Paris Saint-Germain and happened to join in the same transfer window as the legendary Lionel Messi. 2021 was a massive transfer window for PSG in their hopes of winning their first Champions League title, with the likes of Sergio Ramos also joining the side. He played with the Argentine winger a total of 59 times before Messi departed for the USA, and can proudly say he made a connection with both Messi and Ronaldo on the pitch.
Henrik Larsson
Mainly known for his time tearing up the Scottish Premiership during his 7-year spell at Celtic. Larsson made a name for Swedish football, winning lots of silverware and even helping his national side reach their second-highest-ever finish in a World Cup. After leaving a legacy in Scotland, Larsson got his dream move to Barcelona in 2004, where he would spend 2 years sharing the pitch with the upcoming superstar, a teenage Lionel Messi. Unfortunately, Larsson never got to experience playing alongside a prime Messi, but he did get to experience the beginning of what would turn out to be one of the greatest players of all time.
Only a year after he departed from Barcelona, Larson received a loan move to English giants Manchester United, where a young Cristiano Ronaldo was making a name for himself. The Swede would make 11 appearances alongside Ronaldo, and despite not featuring too many times for the Red Devils, created a strong bond with Cristiano both on and off the pitch.
Ezequiel Garay
The Argentine international was a solid centre back in his playing days, becoming a big name at Valencia as well as playing for his national side on several occasions. In fact, it was during his spell with the national team that Garay had the privilege of sharing the pitch 41 times with the little magician, Lionel Messi. Unfortunately, Garay would feature for Argentina for the last time in 2015, but still managed to share the pitch with one of the greatest to ever play the sport.
What is less known, however, is Garay’s short stint at Real Madrid from 2008 to 2011, where he would play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo a total of 23 times, even forming a back-line partnership with Sergio Ramos. The pair only had a short spell together, with Garay moving on to better opportunities outside of Spain at Benfica, but the very reputable Argentine centre-half can proudly say he stepped out onto the pitch alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Gabriel Heinze
The newly appointed Arsenal assistant manager, Gabriel Heinze, has plenty of knowledge to support the Gunners in their mission to claim their first piece of silverware in 5 years. The playing career of the Argentinian international features plenty of top clubs, including representing Manchester United from 2004 to 2007. During this time, he would share the pitch 75 times with Cristiano Ronaldo, only briefly crossing paths with the Portuguese forward during his time at Sporting CP, with Ronaldo featuring in the youth squad at the time of Heinze’s departure.
As a result of top-quality performances, representing the biggest clubs and being a big part of PSG’s back line, Heinze would receive an international call-up in 2003, 2 years before the teenage sensation Lionel Messi would receive his first senior appearance. For 5 years, Heinze had the privilege of sharing the football pitch with this upcoming great, playing alongside Messi 37 times in total. While this wasn’t a massive amount of time spent with the winger, he was able to witness the teenager grow into the game and become the legend he is today.