“Put your hand in your pocket again” - Gary Neville sends Cristiano Ronaldo transfer message to David Beckham after Lionel Messi success

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has urged his former teammate David Beckham to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the US after Lionel Messi's arrival last year. The Argentine plays for Inter Miami, where Beckham is a co-owner.

Messi and Ronaldo are two of the best players in the game's history, plundering over 800 goals for club and country and winning big titles galore for club and country. Despite being on the wrong side of 35, both legends are still going strong.

After two decades in European football, Ronaldo joined his current side, Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, in December 2022. Messi followed him out of the continent by moving to Miami last summer.

Acknowledging the growth of the game in the US, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming up, Neville said on The Overlap podcast (via GOAL):

"I recognize the strength of the game growing in America and the U.S., the World Cup coming up in a couple of years. Maybe they (Messi and Ronaldo) could play for the same club! That'll cost a few quid. Becks mate, put your hand in your pocket again."

Messi has had a rollicking start to his stint in American football. Considering that, Ronaldo might want a last hurrah with his arch-rival, but for now he seems happy with his current club.

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How many titles have Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo won with their current clubs?

Lionel Messi (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - as mentioned above - are two of the best ever to set foot on a football field and are two of the game's best-ever goalscorers in history.

However, in terms of silverware with their current clubs, Messi takes the lead. In his very first competition with the Herons - the 2023 Leagues Cup - the Argentine led them to victory, marking the club's first-ever title.

The Herons have grown from strength to strength this season, winning the Supporters' Shield - for topping the MLS regular season points table - as they look to win the postseason competition.

Messi has also added silverware with his national team during this period, with Argentina successfully defending their title at the 2024 Copa America.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, is on a three-year title drought since his 2021 Coppa Italia title win with Juventus. In two straight seasons (one full campaign), Al-Nassr have finished second in the Saudi Pro League and have also fallen short in cup competitions.