'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 I'm not his friend, but we are colleagues: Cristiano Ronaldo on Lionel Messi
In a strong rivalry that has lasted through the entire careers of both stars, it's hardly any surprise that the duo aren't close friends.
Trending
Cristiano Ronaldo explained that he and Lionel Messi have mutual respect for each other. Though they haven't sat down to eat together. For Ronaldo, the duo are work colleagues, rather than rivals. He said in an interview:
"In terms of my relationship with Messi. I'm not his friend, but we are colleagues. We've shared a lot of moments together in premieres over the last 10 years and I have a very good relationship with him. We don’t sit down to eat together, but I respect him. He’s a work colleague, not a rival."
#2 I really enjoy seeing him play: Cristiano Ronaldo on Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear that he enjoys watching Lionel Messi play. According to the Portuguese maestro, the duo share a cordial relationship. Ronaldo also noted that Messi hasn't done anything bad and also speaks positively about him. He said:
"I like to see all the good footballers and he is one of them, it’s a good crack. I really enjoy seeing him play. How would I not like someone who hasn't done anything bad - it's the opposite. When they ask Messi about Cristiano, he also talks positively about me. My relationship with him is cordial, and we have mutual respect for each other."
#1 Lionel Messi has made me a better player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Both players enjoyed wreaking havoc on La Liga defenses at will during their time at Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, there was a notable shift in Spain when Cristiano Ronaldo made the switch to Juventus in 2019. After all, both stars would no longer vie for trophies and awards in Spanish football.
For the near decade they both spent in La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to praise the Argentine magician. He noted that his competition with Messi made him a better player. Ronaldo said:
“I really admire the career he has had and from his side, he has already talked of the disappointment when I left Spain because it was a rivalry that he appreciated. It’s a good rivalry but it’s not unique -- Michael Jordan had rivalries in basketball, there was Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in Formula 1."
He added:
“I have no doubt that Lionel Messi has made me a better player and vice-versa. When I am winning trophies it must sting him and it’s the same for me when he wins."
