It is somewhat lamentable that the era of Messi and C Ronaldo will eventually become history. In 18 years, the open struggle between the two has become the main theme of world football. Despite the fierce competition on the pitch, they never denigrated each other in the media, only occasionally hinted at each other.
Although they have made nicknames in private, they have respected their opponents in public interviews. Not only that, in 2019, C Ronaldo also publicly invited Messi to dinner.
The Portuguese said, "We have shared the stage for 15 years. I don't know if this ever happened, the same two players have been on the same stage. Of course, we have a good relationship. We haven't had dinner together yet, but I hope to have a chance later. ”
'We had a direct fight in Spain and I pushed him forward and he pushed me forward.
Messi later accepted the invitation, "Yes, I have no problem. We may not be friends because we've never shared a dressing room, but I'll always run into him at awards ceremonies, no problem. ”
"I don't know if we're going to have dinner together because I don't know if our paths will overlap and we each have our own lives. Obviously, I would accept the invitation. ”
Of course, as the two biggest stars in world football, there has also been friction between them.
After winning the Ballon d'Or for the fifth time in 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo praised his performance and belittled Messi.
The Portuguese said, "No one else has won as many individual awards as I have, and I'm not just talking about the Golden Globes." What does that say, doesn't it? ”
"It's not just what people say I do in the gym, it's a combination of so many things. Legendary athletes like Mayweather and James, none of them have a chance to reach such a perfect level. To stay ahead of the curve, you have to always have more talent than anyone else. ”
"You know, I respect everyone's opinion. However, I don't see anyone better than I am. I always think so. No other player can do what I can't do, but I do what other people can't do. No player is more versatile than me, I'm good on both feet, I'm fast, I'm strong, I'm good at headers, I can score goals and deliver assists. ”
"Everyone has the right to prefer Neymar or Messi, but I hold my word that no one is more complete than me. People may say I'm a bit arrogant, but when you're at your peak, it's normal to encounter criticism. ”
However, having won the Ballon d'Or twice in 2019 and 2021, Messi has won this award seven times, leaving Ronaldo behind. However, in subsequent interviews, Messi never mentioned the competition with C Ronaldo.
However, after Messi won the 7th award, C Ronaldo reposted the posts that netizens complained about him, and the word "fact" swept the world, implying that "French Football" favored Messi in this way.
Unlike Ronaldo, who is good at expressing himself, Messi is more shy. However, he also hinted at dissatisfaction with Ronaldo.
After winning the European Golden Boot for the sixth time in 2019, Messi said after the awards ceremony, "I prefer people to talk about me. I know myself, what I have done, what I can give. People can express their opinions, I don't like to talk about myself, I prefer to talk about the collective. ”
"The Mirror" analysis, for a long time, Messi's words have often been misread, almost no one thought of "fighting back" against C Ronaldo. Looking back 3 years later, Messi expressed his attitude in this way.