“I am not going to play against Messi, I’m going to play against Barcelona” - When Cristiano Ronaldo commented on rivalry ahead of El Clasico

Cristiano Ronaldo once spoke about his rivalry against Lionel Messi ahead of an El Clasico. The former Real Madrid superstar played down his competition against Messi, insisting that he was facing the team as a whole.

Ronaldo and Messi are two of the greatest players of their generation and are considered the best of all time. The pair have been pitted against each other in the never-ending GOAT debate.

Their rivalry began after Ronaldo's rise to stardom at Manchester United and Messi's arrival at Barcelona. However, it elevated to another level after Ronaldo's high-profile transfer to Real Madrid in 2009 at a then-world record fee of £80 million.

In 2014, when their rivalry was at its peak, Madrid were set to play Barcelona in their first encounter of the La Liga campaign on October 25. Ahead of the fixture, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi took the spotlight.

However, the Portuguese superstar said that he wasn't looking to outperform Messi but was merely focused on securing the three points. Ronldo said before the game (via BBC Sport):

"I am not going to play against Messi. I am going to playing against Barcelona."

Cristiano Ronaldo's approach to the match worked, as Real Madrid went on to win 3-1. Neymar gave Brca the lead four minutes into the game, but his goal was in vain as Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema sealed the three points for Madrid.

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Lamine Yamal's agent explains how Barcelona star can emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Agent Jorge Mendes has detailed how his client, Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, can go on to have a successful and decorated career like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Yamal established himself as one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe after earning his first-team promotion at Barcelona at just 16 in 2023. He had an excellent 2023-24 campaign, making 50 appearances before winning the 2024 European Championships with Spain.

Mendes, who has managed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho, Joao Felix, and now Yamal, has offered some advice to the young superstar (via GOAL)

"I think Cristiano is a good example for Lamine and all the youngsters for everything he has achieved, a level that almost no one has achieved.

"Lamine, with the quality that he has, if he does not make mistakes and knows well what he has to do, and I think that he is aware of all his responsibilities, he has all the conditions to succeed at the highest level of world football.

"Messi has always shown himself to be a great professional and an impressive player. He is a good example, of course."

Yamal is up up to six goals and 12 assists in 21 games across competitions for Barcelona this season.