With his declaration that their time “is gone,” Cristiano Ronaldo has dealt a crushing blow to supporters hoping that he and Lionel Messi could rekindle their long-running rivalry.
Messi and Ronaldo shared the stage at the peak of football for more than a decade, mostly on opposite sides of the Barcelona-Real Madrid divide, winning a total of 12 Ballon d’Or awards between them in 13 years.
Ronaldo’s move to Juventus in 2019 ended their season-long rivalry, and a move to Saudi Arabia in January 2023, and Messi’s move to Inter Miami this season, saw them play on opposite continents.
Messi’s departure for David Beckham’s MLS outfit was largely seen as an end to the pair’s time sharing centre stage, and although there is still an opportunity for them to cross paths on the international stage, a meeting at club level is now unlikely.
What Did Ronaldo Say About His Rivalry With Messi?
Ronaldo was full of praise for his one-time rival, claiming that the pair have a great mutual respect, and spoke of how their duopoly was a treat for adoring fans across the world at a recent press conference.
‘Hatred? I don’t see things like that, the rivalry is gone,’ Ronaldo said, when asked if fans who love him have to hate Messi.
‘It was good, spectators liked it.
‘Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi and vice versa. We’ve done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that’s the most important thing.
Ronaldo reflects on his rivalry with Messi 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/rZGdny1m8B
— 433 (@433) September 7, 2023
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‘He’s followed his path and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe. From what I’ve seen, he’s been doing well and so have I. The legacy lives on, but I don’t see the rivalry like that.
‘We shared the stage many times, it was 15 years. I’m not saying we’re friends, I’ve never had dinner with him, but we’re professional colleagues and we respect each other.’
Both Ronaldo and Messi are widely regarded as the greatest to have ever played the game, with the latter joining the exclusive group of players to have won the Champions League, World Cup and Ballon d’Or in December.
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