10 things Lionel Messi has said about Cristiano Ronaldo over the years

#6 "Obviously when Cristiano (Ronaldo) played for Real Madrid, the games were special. Now we look forward to today's challenges." (2020)

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) and Lionel Messi at Camp Nou last year.

In the same interview with DAZN ahead of his first meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo in two years, Messi said that he enjoyed all the matches against the Portuguese, as they were 'special'.

On being asked if there was a possibility of the two teaming up for the same team, Messi avoided a direct reply and instead said that the duo has moved on to 'different challenges'.

"Obviously when Cristiano played for Real Madrid the games were special, against them they always are, but with Cristiano on the pitch, they had a particular meaning. It is now the past, now we look forward to today's challenges."

On his return to the Camp Nou for the first time since 2018, Ronaldo notched up his first Champions League goal against Barcelona. His brace on the night meant Ronaldo had scored 14 goals of the Blaugrana, the most scored at any away ground in his career.

After his brace against Barcelona, Ronaldo has now scored 14 goals at the Camp Nou in all competitions, more than at any other away stadium in his club career 👑 pic.twitter.com/hZzHFsUB1S

— Goal (@goal) December 9, 2020

---

#5 "It would have been nice if Ronaldo was still here (in Spain)" (2019)

Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Juventus in 2018

After nine prolific seasons in Spain, in which he racked up a staggering 450 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Juventus in the summer of 2018 seeking a new challenge.

Three years later, Ronaldo has been fairly successful in his quest, albeit at an individual level, racking up 100 goals for the Bianconeri and the Capocannoniere award last season.

In his first campaign for the Bianconeri, a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick - a record-tying eighth in the Champions League - Juventus overhauled a two-goal first-leg deficit against Atletico Madrid to reach the quarter-finals.

During an interview with Club947FM in 2019, Messi said that the arrival of Ronaldo made Juventus stronger.

“I have a lot of respect for Juventus," said Messi. "I think they are a very strong team, with very good players – and with the arrival of Cristiano, even more so. With the victory against Atletico de Madrid, they’ve got a big advantage."

Messi on Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/oqTLyHNeBN

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 29, 2019

Messi also added that he missed his 'difficult' duels with Ronaldo when the latter was at Madrid.

"It was nice playing against Cristiano even if it was difficult. I enjoyed winning cups when he was at Madrid. It would be nice if he were still there."

---

#4 "Today, there are very good players, any of them could be the best in the world. But I take Cristiano of that group and put him with me.” (2019)

Cristiano Ronaldo

During the same interaction with Club1947FM in 2019, Messi was asked about who he thought was the best player in the world.

The Argentine replied that there were many claimants to the title like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard. But he and Cristiano Ronaldo stood out from the rest.

"Today, there are very good players, Neymar, Mbappe, Suárez, Hazard, any of them could be the best in the world. But I take Cristiano of that group and put him with me.”