They may have been the faces of El Clásico’s rivalry for nearly a decade, but Cristiano Ronaldo has said he never saw Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as his “rival.” The Juventus striker, who scored two goals in a 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, added that he has always gotten along with his nemesis as the two. legends met in the field for the first time since Ronaldo moved from Real Madrid to Turin in 2018.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals from the spot and was at his best when he helped Juventus seal the top spot in Group H in the current Champions League campaign. Lionel Messi managed to upset Gianluigi Buffon but appeared to be leading a disjointed attack without much success in a difficult 3-0 defeat at the Camp Nou.
Speaking to Movistar after the big ticket clash, Ronaldo flaunted his equation with Messi, noting that they have been good friends off the field despite hype about the rivalry between the two greats over the years. It was their 36th meeting in a competitive game on Tuesday, but it turned out to be a one-sided affair.
“I never saw him (Messi) as a rival. He always did the best for his team and I did the best for mine. I always got along well with him. I’m sure he will say the same if you ask him. I’ve always had a relationship. cordial to him, “said Ronaldo.
“As I said before, for 12, 13, 14 years [I have been] sharing prizes with him. But we know that in football people always look for a rivalry to create more excitement. “
In the last 12 years, Ronaldo and Messi have shared the Ballon d’Or 11 times and won several football awards, leaving very little for the rest. Their rivalry on the field was at its peak when the two met in those highly successful Clasico matches.
Messi is the same as always: Ronaldo
Things are changing for both the greats and for Lionel Messi is likely to leave Barcelona in the summer window, as his relationship with the management is not improving. Under new manager Ronaldo Koeman, Barcelona have struggled to get going, notching just 4 wins in 10 games as the Catalans falter in ninth place.
Messi has not been as prolific as before, but Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Barcelona superstar will make a comeback soon.
“Messi is the same as always. Barcelona is in a difficult moment, but it is still Barça. I am sure they will come out of it. All teams have bad runs, but Barcelona is a very good team,” said Ronaldo.
For Juventus fans, it’s reason to cheer as their superstar forward has found shape in a high-priced clash. Juventus have also had a slow start to their Serie A campaign, as the champions are in fourth place with 5 wins and the same number of draws in 10 league games.
