Ronaldo 'beats' Messi in Hong Kong

Cristiano Ronaldo is 40 years old, but his halo has not faded.

In Hong Kong, in the Saudi Super Cup match between Al Nassr and Al Ittihad on August 19, CR7 did not need to score but still became the center of attention. He played with fighting spirit, desire and a decisive assist to help Joao Felix seal a 2-1 victory.

But more importantly, Ronaldo won another confrontation - the battle of image and public sentiment, where Lionel Messi had stumbled bitterly a year ago.

Ronaldo steps out as a savior

It is no coincidence that Hong Kong pays such great attention to Ronaldo's appearance. Asian football in general and especially the China - Hong Kong region always has a desire to see top superstars in the flesh.

Fans see football not only as a sport , but also as a cultural event. In that context, Ronaldo is present as a living symbol, bringing a primal emotion: cheering every time he touches the ball, excitement when he takes a shot, and elation when he assists a goal.

The image of fans defying security to rush onto the pitch, or camping in front of CR7's hotel, or even renting rooms just to see him, reflects the passion that few players can maintain at the age of 40. Ronaldo turned the match into not just a sporting competition, but an iconic performance.

Ronaldo had an impressive performance in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final in Hong Kong on August 19.

Put Ronaldo next to Messi, the contrast is even more obvious. In 2024, when Inter Miami came to Hong Kong, Messi was expected to be the “number one star” of the event. Tens of thousands of spectators bought tickets at high prices, waiting to witness the 2022 World Cup champion with their own eyes. However, Messi sat on the bench throughout the match, citing injury. That excuse, right or wrong, is not as important as the emotions the audience received: disappointment, anger, even deception.

The incident escalated into a crisis. Hong Kong and Chinese media criticized it, spectators demanded refunds, and some politicians considered it “insulting.” When Messi later played in Japan, just days after the Hong Kong match, his image was further damaged.

The Chinese government even canceled two friendly matches of the Argentine national team, considering this as a response. A sporting incident suddenly turned into a diplomatic event, showing that football can touch the political and social levels of meaning.

Ronaldo probably understood what happened to Messi. And he chose another way: to go out, contribute, create moments. No need for a hat-trick to satisfy the fans, just effort and presence at the right time, right place. The assist for Joao Felix was not only a professional meaning, but also a message: "I am here to play football, to show you what you have been waiting for".

In terms of commerce, it was a perfect “goal”. When CR7 burned himself out, Ronaldo’s brand image continued to be elevated in Asia - a huge market that is very sensitive to emotions and real experiences. Fans not only bought tickets, they bought the belief that their idol would not abandon them. And Ronaldo kept that belief.

Messi vs Ronaldo: The rivalry has no end

For more than 15 years, Messi and Ronaldo have competed on all fronts: from goals, Ballon d'Or, to collective titles. Messi may have surpassed them with the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, while Ronaldo has never touched the World Cup. But in Hong Kong, the balance is tilted towards CR7.

Messi made Hong Kong fans angry last year.

Messi left Hong Kong to boos, Ronaldo to raucous cheers. Messi became a symbol of disappointment, Ronaldo a testament to the concept of “knowing how to please the audience”. And in the global battle for image, sometimes winning the hearts of fans is just as important – if not more so – than winning trophies on the pitch.

Modern football is no longer just a 90-minute match. It is a global stage where every action of a superstar can become a big story. Ronaldo understands that. With his dedication, he turned a distant Saudi Super Cup match into an international media sensation.

When he left the field, Ronaldo not only won against Al Ittihad. He also “won” Messi in the silent race for image, “won” in the eyes of tens of thousands of Hong Kong audiences, and more importantly, “won” in maintaining his status as a global icon even in the final years of his career.

Perhaps, as Ronaldo himself once confided, this “means more than any title”.

Source: https://znews.vn/ronaldo-thang-messi-o-hong-kong-post1578367.html