Cristiano Ronaldo opened up on his true feelings towards Lionel Messi in his interview with Piers Morgan, and the Inter Miami star has already given his own verdict on his rival
For years they’ve been deemed as fierce rivals – but underneath the constant battle to come out on top, the respect between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is clear to see.
The two superstars share 13 Ballon d’Or awards between them, and a host of trophies including nine Champions League titles. When you take a look at their goalscoring records, the figures defy belief.
But having rarely been seen together, it’s been difficult to paint a picture of how each forward feels about his adversary, though Ronaldo gave a telling insight as he lifted the lid on his relationship with Messi during his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
“Amazing player is magic, top… As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years. We share. So, I have great relationship with him,” Ronaldo said.
“I’m not friend of him in terms of, what I mean friend is the guy who was with you in your house, speaking on the phone, no, but it’s like a teammate.
“He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speak about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they’re from Argentina. My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good.
“What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was full of praise for Lionel Messi in his recent interview with Piers Morgan (
Image:
@PiersUncensored /Twitter)
Messi and Ronaldo share a mutual respect for each other after their long-term rivalry (
Image:
UEFA via Getty Images)
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On whether he misses competing against Ronaldo on a regular basis, he added: “It’s been a long time since we stopped competing in the same league.
“We competed individually and as a team for the same goals. It was a very beautiful stage for us and also for the people because they enjoyed it very much. It is a beautiful memory that will remain in the history of football.”
Both players could yet meet each other next month at the World Cup should fate have it if Argentina and Portugal both progress to the knockout rounds. The tournament in Qatar is set to be the final World Cup that both Ronaldo and Messi will each be involved in.
The two superstars have shared the field on many occasions and could meet at the World Cup (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Asked about the chances of him ever playing alongside Messi, Ronaldo joked the pair would definitely sell a lot of shirts. Messi discussed the prospect of a partnership some time ago back in 2015, insisting he would love to be Ronaldo’s team-mate, but doubted if it would ever happen.
“Yes, of course,” he said when quizzed on the subject. “I always like to play with the best, and he is one of them.
“I think it will be difficult for us to play in the same team but obviously I would like to. I was lucky enough to play and participate with many very good players and, obviously, I would also like to do it with him.”
