Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are undoubtedly the greatest soccer stars of this generation, if not of all time. The debate between Messi and Ronaldo has been raging for long now and will continue to do so. While fans have different opinions, it’s hard to have a unanimous decision on this debate. However, the thing that has remained constant is the mutual respect between the two stars.
Despite their rivalry on the pitch, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have always spoken highly about each other. An old interview of Messi with the Daily Mail where he talks about Ronaldo has resurfaced on social media platforms recently. The interview dates back around 14 years ago when the two stars faced each other in the 2009 Champions League final.
🗣️ Lionel Messi on midfielder version of Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/fV7ef74AJA
— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) June 29, 2023
Lionel Messi’s FC Barcelona was facing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Speaking ahead of the final, Messi said, “Manchester United have quality everywhere. So many good players. But if I had to pick one out it would be Ronaldo.” The former FC Barcelona star added, “He is a player I would pay to watch.”
He also said, “He and I are very different players, but he is unbelievable, very special, and it will not be easy to stop him.” In the final, Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona came out on top of Ronaldo‘s Manchester United. The Catalan club won 2-0 against United, with Samuel Eto’o and Messi scoring the two goals. Messi’s goal was particularly impressive, as he scored a soaring header past the 6′ 6″ United keeper, Edwin van der Sar.
What does Cristiano Ronaldo think about Lionel Messi?
Similar to Lionel Messi’s comments, Cristiano Ronaldo has also praised the Argentine star. During his infamous interview with Piers Morgan which led to his exit from Manchester United last year, Ronaldo highly praised Messi. He said, “Amazing player, he is magic, top. As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years we shared. So, I have a great relationship with him.”
Cristiano Ronaldo on Lionel Messi: “He is an amazing player. Magic. Top. As a person, we share the stage 16 years. Imagine 16 years. So, I have great relationship with him.”
The two 🐐 pic.twitter.com/2TMtLTfaZe
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 17, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo further heaped praise on Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, and also said that she has a cordial relationship with his Argentine girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez. In an interview, with talkSPORT Breakfast, Piers Morgan also revealed that Ronaldo had once admitted that Messi is the best player he has ever seen play live. Although Ronaldo did jokingly add that he still considers himself to be better than the Inter Miami star.