-
Cristiano Ronaldo sends heart-warming message as he weighs up rivalry with Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo emphasized that harbouring animosity towards Lionel Messi is unnecessary, although he acknowledged that he doesn’t share a close friendship with the Argentine superstar.
In a candid discussion, the Portuguese football icon addressed his rapport with Messi and asserted that the rivalry between arguably the two greatest footballers in history has come to an end.
He urged his supporters to show respect to both players, acknowledging their transformative impact on the history of football and discouraging any feelings of animosity toward the Argentine maestro.
“If you like Cristiano, you don’t have to hate Messi. The two changed the history of football and are respected. Rivalry? I don’t see those things like that, we shared the stage for 15 years. I’m not saying we are friends but we respect each other,” he told reporters.
While playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, for more than ten years, Ronaldo and Messi pushed each other to the limit and overcame all odds to create one of the most remarkable sporting rivalries in history.
To pursue new challenges in the twilight of their careers, both superstars have, however, left Europe. Ronaldo chose to sign on with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, but Messi has relocated to the United States and plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
While Messi will captain the Argentine team against Ecuador in a 2026 World Cup qualifier at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday night, Ronaldo will return to action on Friday against Slovakia in a Euro 2024 qualifier.