Lionel Messi Makes Shocking Cristiano Ronaldo Admission

Lionel Messi has made an fascinating reference to Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy.

For greater than a decade, Messi vs. Ronaldo has been arguably the best rivalry within the lovely sport of soccer. Over time, the pair has developed mutual respect in the direction of each other.

In a latest interview with La Sexta, Messi as soon as once more addressed his rivalry with Ronaldo. However as an alternative of glorifying each their accomplishments, the Argentine excluded himself within the dialog and put the Portuguese on the identical degree as a few of the biggest athletes of all-time.

“There are numerous admirable athletes,” Messi mentioned. “Rafa Nadal, [Roger] Federer, LeBron [James]–in all sports activities there may be all the time somebody who stands out and is admirable for his work.”

“Cristiano [Ronaldo] stands out in soccer,” he continued. “There are numerous who stand out and all the time do their greatest.”

Following Juventus’ thrashing of Barcelona within the UEFA Champions League earlier this month, Ronaldo additionally weighed in on the topic. It was the pair’s first head-to-head for the reason that five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s transfer to Italy in 2018. 

For Ronaldo, there was by no means a severe competitors between him and Messi.

“Leo [Messi] and me shared the final twelve, 13 or fourteen years of our lives,” Ronaldo told Movistar after Juve’s 3-0 win over Barca earlier this month. “I’ve all the time had a cordial relationship with him, I by no means noticed him as a rival. It is the press that creates the rivalry. If you happen to ask Leo, he’ll inform you a similar factor.”

“I confronted him whereas with Manchester United, with Actual Madrid and now with Juventus,” he added. “So far as I am involved, I am glad about my objectives and for me, managing to attain is all the time the supply of larger joys.”

Much more fascinating, the 35-year-old admitted that it all the time appeared “higher” when he performed towards Messi’s facet.

“It is all the time lovely to play towards him,” the Juventus talisman admitted. “Clearly, folks will discuss our rivalry once we meet, however for me, it is only a nice privilege. Perhaps it is even higher once I play towards the crew which he [Messi] is enjoying in.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi arguably stay the world’s two greatest gamers. Picture: Reuters

To today, Messi and Ronaldo are nonetheless two of the most effective gamers of their respective leagues. In truth, this month alone, each legends have achieved exceptional profession milestones.

Ronaldo has scored the 750th goal of his profession in Juventus’ dominant 3-0 win towards Dynamo Kyiv and is now simply 17 objectives behind Pele and 22 behind Romario within the all-time record.

Messi, alternatively, has damaged Pele’s all-time membership file by notching his 644th club goal in Barcelona’s win over Valladolid on Tuesday.