Barcelona forward Lionel Messi features a heap of respect for Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo,demand there’s no animus between the pair.
The duo have been the standout players in world football for the majority of the past decade and when Ronaldo moved to Barca’s bitter enemies in 2009, discussions over who is the finer footballer ramped up significantly.
But Messi, speaking stated there’s nothing complex about the rivalry, “There’s never been anything other than respect [between us],” he said. “We are professionals that defend our sides, and we’re rivals in the game, but nothing more than that.”Naija and bet
At the moment, Messi’s Barca definitely have the edge over Ronaldo’s Real. The Blaugrana not only clinched five trophies in 2015, but they’re well placed to achieve more success in 2016; Luis Enrique’s side are five points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand and are in the final of the Copa del Rey too.
While Barcelona have been dominant as of late over their great rivals, Ronaldo has continued to excel alongside Messi
Messi also touched upon his desire to win a title with his country, having come so close at the previous two major tournaments, losing in the final of the 2014 World Cup against Germany and in the CopaAmerica final against Chile last summer.
Indeed, it seems as though the Barcelona star isn’t concerned about beating Gabriel Batistuta’s Albiceleste goalscoring record.
“I would rather win something with the national team, even if it was from an own goal,” said Messi, who with 49 international goals, trails the former Argentina forward by seven, per Sport. “I’m not interested in the records, although they are there, but this doesn‘t make you win titles.”
It’s set to be another significant year for Messi. For Barcelona it seems inevitable he will add to what is already a rich legacy and continue to cement his status as the finest player of this generation ahead of Ronaldo, although that personal battle doesn’t look to play too much on his mind.
What will be intriguing is to see whether Messi can sample success on the international stage. Granted, it’s not solely up to the national team skipper to fire this side to glory, but if he can be the driving force behind a major tournament success for Argentina—their first piece of silverware in 23 years—then many would consider the forward as the greatest of all time.
