Long before the trophies and the headlines, both stories started far from the biggest stages in world football.
From Rosario to Barcelona
Lionel Messi grew up in Rosario, Argentina, and moved to Barcelona as a teenager. He came through the club's academy and went on to spend the defining years of his career there.
From Madeira to Manchester
Cristiano Ronaldo grew up on the Portuguese island of Madeira before joining Sporting CP in Lisbon. A move to Manchester United in his teens turned a talented winger into one of the most feared forwards in the world.
Different cities, different clubs and different personalities, yet the same hunger to be the best. Those early chapters still explain a lot about how both players approach the game today.
