Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterDuring the mid-2000s, few one-on-one duels in international football were as thrilling as Cristiano Ronaldos battles against Ashley Cole.England and Portugal were pitted together in the knockout stages of the 2004 European Championship and the World Cup two years later, as the pair - widely considered the best in their respective positions - battled on the world stage.And while Cole and Ronaldo were familiar from their Premier League meetings, these battles in major tournaments are the ones that remain emblazoned in the memories of supporters.Ashley Cole on facing Cristiano Ronaldo on the world stageFourFourTwo's official World Cup Wallchart is HERE!Get it while stocks last. They're going fast. It's massive. Every game. Fill it in. Like you did when you were a kid. Go on.View DealCole would win 107 England caps over a 14-year international career during which he established himself as perhaps the best left-back that the Three Lions have ever produced, but these battles with the Portuguese icon would push him to his limits.It was never just me, I had players who helped, Cole tells FourFourTwo when asked about these battles. You may like Theres going to be a moment where England are under the cosh to win the World Cup, someone is going to have to take the game by the scruff of the neck Joe Cole on what England need to do to win the World Cup The numbers make the argument for Cristiano Ronaldo. Hes not in the squad because of what he was, but because his present form earns it every time Roberto Martinez on the Portuguese icons World Cup selection Rob Holding gives insider account of Diego Costa scrap during Arsenal and Chelsea's FA Cup final He made me do the splits once and that got into my head that was when I played for Arsenal, at Old Trafford. Im blaming my boots!All in all, the two squared off 14 times over the course of five years in the 2000s, meaning Cole got to know the player better than most on the pitch.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.He was a fantastic player, he could move to the inside or outside, the former Arsenal and Chelsea defender continues.He dropped his shoulder to go inside and because he had quick feet, he did a stepover, went on the outside of me, I lost my footing and slipped.And in this day and age, these kind of moments do not get swept under the carpet. What to read next Exclusive: Nemanja Vidic talks about his iconic battles with Fernando Torres I showed Michael Owen a photo that proved I never fouled him at the 2002 World Cup. He signed it and wrote, You definitely touched me along with a smiley face Mauricio Pochettino relitigates fiery England vs Argentina clash David Beckhams red card at France 98 was excessive. He shouldnt have been sent off, but Diego Simeone was clever Javier Zanettis World Cup 98 admission Fantastic skill, but to this day I still get sent it on Instagram it has haunted me!It is a sign of Coles determination that this incident only served to sharpen his focus.I had a lot of friends in the England team bantering me about that, saying: He made you look silly I thought, This cant happen again.I didnt want to be beaten, I didnt want someone to take my career away from me so I tried to rise to the occasion. I wouldnt say I got the upper hand in both games, but we had good battles.Could It Be Coming Home? with Joe Cole and Ashley Cole is brought to you by Carling, official sponsor of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Womens FA Cup. Watch the show on YouTube and Spotify, or listen to it wherever you get your podcastsTOPICSAshley ColeCristiano RonaldoEnglandWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
