Lionel Messi has played with two of Brazil’s best footballers of this generation – Ronaldinho and Neymar. The Argentine maestro, however, had a tough time choosing between Neymar and Ronaldinho.
"That's very difficult [Neymar or Ronaldinho]! I am happy to have played with both of them. It is a tough thing to happen and I have been fortunate to have played with each of them, so it is very difficult to choose just one," Messi answered in a Q&A session organised by Sport.
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The Argentine maestro also admitted that he was embarrassed by Neymar calling him his idol.
"He always says he is a fan of mine and that embarrasses me a little, because he tells me to my face that he is a fanatic of mine.
"Even when he came, I realised that when he would say it, he would mean it. It is how he felt and it made me very happy that a kid like him would say these things about me and that we can continue to have that good relationship to this day."
Key to Barcelona’s success in the recent past has been the camaraderie between the awesome front trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez with all of them close friends off the pitch as well.
Cristiano Ronaldo says performances on the pitch are more important than relationships off it
Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, had a different take on the issue, saying performances on the pitch mattered more than the relationships off it.
The Portuguese captain was asked about his relationship with fellow Real Madrid forwards Bale and Benzema in comparison to the close bond shared between Barcelona’s super attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez.
There have been rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo has been miffed at the fact that Gareth Bale’s £85m move overshadowed his own transfer to Real Madrid, however, he has insisted that it is not the case and he feels pretty appreciated playing for Los Blancos.
"Do I feel appreciated? Yes, of course, absolutely. How could it not be so? I always play, I’ve scored a few goals and I’m at the best club in the world," he added.
“We are not best friends but we certainly do not hate each other.
“Anyway how I perform on the pitch has nothing to do with my relationship off it.”
Ronaldo, Bale and Antoine Griezmaan have been nominated for the UEFA player of the year award with the Portuguese superstar favourite to claim the prestigious prize.
