Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken candidly about his relationship with his arch-nemesis on the pitch Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo has indicated that the debate over who between the two Is the greatest of all time is now a thing of the past.
He at the same time called on his fans and supporters to respect Messi.
Speaking to reporters, Ronaldo asserted that both of them have altered the course of football history and have earned respect in their own respective ways.
“If you like Cristiano, you don’t have to hate Messi.
“The two changed the history of football and are respected. Rivalry? ,
“I don’t see those things like that, we shared the stage for 15 years.
“I’m not saying we are friends but we respect each other,” he said.
Ronaldo and Messi graced Spain for more than a decade, donning the colours of Real Madrid and Barcelona, where they continually pushed the boundaries of their abilities and crafted one of the most mesmerizing rivalries in the annals of sports.
Nevertheless, as their illustrious careers entered their twilight phase, both football legends embarked on new adventures.
Ronaldo moves to Saudi
Ronaldo chose to continue his journey with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi relocated to the United States, now showcasing his talents with Inter Miami in the MLS.
At 38 years of age, Ronaldo has displayed remarkable prowess while representing Al-Nassr this season.
He has netted an impressive tally of 12 goals in just 11 outings, with six of them finding the back of the net in the Saudi Pro League.
Such outstanding performance has once again secured Ronaldo a place in the Portugal squad, as they prepare for two crucial Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg.
Messi on the other hand has continued to dazzle since his move to Inter Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in June.
Messi settles in MLS
The 36-year-old maestro has registered an impressive tally of 11 goals and contributed five assists in just 11 appearances for his MLS team.
Furthermore, he is currently representing Argentina on international duty as they gear up to confront Ecuador and Bolivia.
This Friday, Portugal, led by Ronaldo, is poised for action as they set out on a journey to Slovakia, with the aim of maintaining their impressive start in the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Under the leadership of Roberto Martinez, Portugal has triumphed in all four of their group matches, and Ronaldo’s determination to prolong this winning streak burns brighter than ever.
