Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about his relationship with Lionel Messi
In a rare and candid revelation, Cristiano Ronaldo has offered insight into his long-standing relationship with Lionel Messi, a rivalry that has captivated football fans worldwide for over a decade.
Cristiano Ronaldo opens up about his relationship with Lionel Messi
For years, Ronaldo and Messi have been at the centre of one of football’s greatest rivalries. Their battles on the pitch particularly during the fierce El Clasico encounter between Real Madrid and Barcelona and their off-field competition for individual awards like the Ballon d’Or have defined an era of football.
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Both players have broken countless records, won multiple trophies, and pushed each other to new heights, but despite all of this, Ronaldo insists their relationship has always been respectful.
Ronaldo clears the air
In an interview with Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, Ronaldo addressed the often-discussed rivalry between him and Messi. Despite intense competition, he made it clear that there was never any animosity.
 "I have a very good ‘relationship’ with Messi - Ronaldo 2")
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“I have never had a bad relationship with Messi. It’s quite the opposite,” Ronaldo said.
No personal rivalry, only professional competition
While the world watched as the two superstars clashed for trophies and individual awards, Ronaldo insists that the rivalry was strictly professional.
Cristiano Ronaldo opens up about his relationship with Lionel Messi
He stressed that their fierce competition was never personal, despite the high stakes of their encounters during their prime years in Spain’s La Liga.
Ronaldo also expressed hope for the future of football, when asked whether he and Messi’s simultaneous dominance could ever be replicated by future players.
 "I have a very good ‘relationship’ with Messi - Ronaldo 4")
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“I hope so. It’s something that would be good for soccer. But I think it’ll be tough,” he said.
Ronaldo and Messi’s legacy in football is unparalleled. Together, they have amassed a combined 13 Ballon d’Or awards, nine UEFA Champions League titles, and 12 La Liga trophies, along with over 1,770 goals in their careers.
 "I have a very good ‘relationship’ with Messi - Ronaldo 5")
Messi believed his Barcelona teammate deserved to win the 2011 Ballon d’Or.
Their rivalry is often seen as the golden era of individual football greatness, and it’s hard to imagine anyone reaching those same heights simultaneously in the future.
While new rivals like Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski continue to rise, they have a long road ahead if they are to match the incredible achievements of Ronaldo and Messi.
Lionel Messi (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo greet each other prior Riyadh All-Star XI vs Paris Saint-Germain FC at King Fahd Stadium. (Photo Credit: Imago)
The end of an era
As Ronaldo and Messi both continue their illustrious careers with Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi now at Inter Miami, the football world will no doubt cherish the memory of their extraordinary rivalry, hoping that someday, another duo will emerge to replicate their dominance.
Na lie, biggest rivals in the history of football