Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest soccer players to ever grace the game. Messi and Ronaldo have been dominating soccer on the global stage for almost two decades now. The two soccer stars became direct rivals when Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2010, while Messi was playing for FC Barcelona. However, they have never played together on the same team.
It has been a hugely debated prospect whether Messi and Ronaldo will ever play together. While it would a mouth-watering moment for soccer fans all over the world, it is, however, improbable. Lionel Messi said in an interview a few years back that two soccer stars playing together is difficult.
Is Lionel Messi open to playing with Cristiano Ronaldo?
Messi said, “I always like to play with the best, and he is one of them. I think it will be difficult for us to play in the same team, but obviously, I would like to. I was lucky enough to play and participate with many very good players and, obviously, I would also like to do it with him.“
Even Cristiano Ronaldo spoke about playing together with Messi during his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan this year. The British interviewer asked Ronaldo about playing at PSG together with Messi. Cristiano responded with a burst of laughter and said, “Everything is possible in football…Why not.” Ronaldo also joked that joining PSG will result in a huge sale of jerseys for the French club.
Ronaldo and Messi playing together is almost impossible now
Although both Messi and Ronaldo have expressed their desire of playing together in the same team, the chances of that happening are quite slim. Messi is a Paris Saint-Germain player, while Ronaldo is currently a free agent. Ronaldo’s contract was terminated by Manchester United after his interview with Piers Morgan became viral. As per reports, PSG is not interested in signing the former Real Madrid star.
However, Saudi Arabia-based club Al-Nassr has expressed their desire of signing Cristiano Ronaldo. Al-Nassr has offered Ronaldo a mega deal where the Portuguese star would earn more than $200 million annually. When there were reports that Ronaldo has agreed to sign with Al-Nassr, the Portuguese star squashed these rumors during the FIFA World Cup 2022.
After Portugal’s win over Switzerland in the round of 16 in the World Cup, Ronaldo was asked about his potential move to Al-Nassr. However, Ronaldo denied the rumors, saying that they were,” Not true.“
More on Cristiano. Al Nassr, pushing as called yesterday — hoping for Ronaldo to sign contracts before the end of the year, so in the next days 🇸🇦 #transfers
€200m/year proposal confirmed, valid until June 2025.
…but it’s up to Cristiano, still waiting for his green light ⤵️ https://t.co/kcM7yR3jwl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 22, 2022
Thus, the prospect of Messi and Ronaldo playing together seems bleak now. Although it is confirmed that Ronaldo will not play for PSG, Messi’s future plans are not yet known. Messi is currently expected to sign a contract extension with PSG which will tie him to the club till 2024.
After PSG, we could see Messi play in the MLS for Inter Miami. We could also see Messi’s return to Argentina, as the former Barcelona star has admitted on numerous occasions about his wish to play for his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, before his retirement.