1 Great sporting rivalries

2 Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo The rivalry between the world’s two greatest current footballers is just as intense as that between their clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

3 Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo Both are attacking players, with contrasting physiques and temperaments. Ronaldo is tall and strong; Messi short and quick. Ronaldo is brash and egotistical, Messi is quiet and quick to divert praise to his team-mates.

4 Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo Both players missed out to Ricardo Kaka for the 2007 World Player of the Year award. Since then they have dominated the prize. Ronaldo won in 2008, Messi in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, before Ronaldo regained the honour in 2013.

5 Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky Russia dominated the world of chess in the Cold War years of the ‘60s. Then in 1972 American Bobby Fischer challenged reigning World Champion Boris Spassky.

6 Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky Their series of matches was marked by controversy and disputes, as paranoid Fischer protested about a series of perceived advantages for his opponent. Fischer eventually won by 12½ points to 8½ points.

7 Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky Three years later Fischer refused to defend his title when the World Chess Authority wouldn’t agree to his format for the Championship match. He came out of a secluded retirement to replay Spassky in 1992.

8 Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier Muhammad Ali is widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight champion of all time, but his three fights with Joe Frazier defined both men’s careers.

9 Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier Ali and Frazier first fought in 1971, four years after Ali was stripped of his title for refusing to be drafted for the Vietnam War. Both boxers were undefeated going in to ‘the fight of the century’.

10 Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier Bitter pre-match trash-talk from Ali created a heated atmosphere. Neither man could knock the other out, but Frazier won on a unanimous verdict from the judges.

11 Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier In 1974, after Frazier had lost the title to George Foreman, he fought Ali for a second time. This time Ali was the winner, again by the unanimous judges verdict.

12 Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier In 1975, Ali won his title back from Foreman and made three successful defences against other fighters, before agreeing to meet Frazier for a third time.

13 Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier The ‘Thrilla in Manilla’ was a brutal contest, ending when Frazier’s trainer refused to let him resume at the start of the 15 th and final round. Ali declared that Frazier was ‘the greatest fighter of all times – after me.’