Whatever they do and whatever they achieve, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo seem destined to forever live in each other's shadow.
Despite being two of the greatest footballers of all time, the rivalry between theBarcelona and Real Madrid superstars has become so fierce, every element of their lives is constantly and relentlessly compared.
For Messi, it seems this has all finally become too much. Because, on closer inspection, the Argentinian genius' recent erratic behaviour seems to have one constant theme…
Making himself as different as possible to his great nemesis.
Let's consider the evidence…
Growing a beard
Ronaldo would rather run out of hairgel than let the world see him with stubble on his face. CR7™ only ever appears in public if he's as hairless as a Ken doll.
Up until a few weeks ago, Leo 'Baby Face' Messi had always been similarly well groomed… and then suddenly decided to grow a beard.
"Look guys! I've got facial hair! I'm different! We're different! WE ARE NOT DIRECTLY COMPARABLE!"
The crazy new hairstyle
Many people questioned what the hell Messi was thinking when he joined football ever-expanding band of bleached-hair-buffoons.
Could it be that he simply wanted to make sure his hair was essentially the opposite of Cristiano's?
"Look guys! I've got blond hair! I'm different! We're different! WE ARE NOT DIRECTLY COMPARABLE!"
The growing number of tattoos
Incredibly, you will not find a single tattoo on Cristiano Ronaldo's body. The Real Madrid man donates blood twice a year and has never had any ink, as it would mean he would no longer be allowed to do so.
Perhaps Messi only just realised that Ronnie is inkless.
Perhaps that would explain why he has suddenly become a VERY big fan of plastering tattoos all over himself.
"Look guys! I've got tattoos! I'm different! We're different! WE ARE NOT DIRECTLY COMPARABLE!"
Retiring from international football
True, he stepped down from Argentina duty before Ronaldo won Euro 2016 with Portugal. But their most recent international appearances could not have been more different.
Messi missed a penalty, lost a major final and quit:
Ronaldo won a major final and achieved his life's ambition:
Which does mean Messi can now say…
"Look guys! My international career has ended in failure! I'm different! We're different! WE ARE NOT DIRECTLY COMPARABLE!"
We hear you, Leo. We hear you…
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