Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in $560m battle that could shape football's future

Forget El Classico, we've now got El Cashico. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were once foes in Spain for Barcelona and Real Madrid, a rivalry forged by tradition and titanic battles.

The pair traded Balon D'Or trophies, La Liga titles and Champions League crowns during a period where both the superstars and their clubs were at the top of the game. But it was never going to last forever and both made moves elsewhere in Europe that failed to live up to the billing.

Messi and Ronaldo were meant to bring European success to PSG and Juventus respectively but couldn't manage it. Ronaldo returned to Manchester United, a move doused in romance rather than realism, while Messi provided one momentous last hurrah when he helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar.

Just months after the tournament, he was available on a free transfer. As Ronaldo was just before the competition kicked off. The Portugal legend chose Saudi Arabia and Al-Nassr lured by the finances, despite doing his best to talk up the league and the project.

Now Messi has chosen the States. The money would have been greater had he accepted an offer from Al-Hilal to join Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, but there's no shortage of cash being thrown at Messi by America.

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The superstars might not be able to mix it with the world's best on the pitch but they are now spearheading two emerging football markets. The US will co-host the next World Cup and, led by David Beckham's arrival 15 years ago, have seen unprecedented growth. The number of teams is set to rise to 30 come 2025 and the standard has improved.

The MLS is providing talent for European giants while the national team has