CNN
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Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? It’s a debate that has kept football fans entertained for more than a decade. While some are satisfied with the discretion of both players, others stand firmly on one side or the other of the discussion.
But according to Ronaldo himself, the “rivalry” between the duo has disappeared since they swapped European clubs for new venues – Ronaldo moving to Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia and Messi to Inter Miami in the US.
“I don’t see it that way, the rivalry is over. He was good, the fans loved him. Those who love Cristiano Ronaldo should not hate Messi. The 38-year-old Ronaldo told reporters as he prepared to play Portugal in a European Championship qualifier: “They are so good, they changed the history of football.”
Ronaldo and Messi spent the peak of their careers in Spain with Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, which helped fuel the rivalry between the players and their fans.
While playing in Spain, the duo dominated the sport.
Messi finished his time with Blograna With an impressive four Champions League titles, Ronaldo left Spanish football having won five trophies, including an unprecedented three in a row. eggs From 2016 to 2018. Messi also added 10 La Liga titles and Ronaldo won 2 titles.
In terms of individual titles, the duo won 12 of the 13 Ballon d’Or awards handed out between 2008 and 2021, with Ronaldo winning five and Messi seven, respectively.
Throughout their time in Spain, the duo also broke goalscoring record after scoring record. Messi finished his Barcelona career with an astonishing tally of 672 goals in 778 matches, while Ronaldo scored an astounding 450 goals in 438 matches for Real Madrid.
“We are respected all over the world, and that’s the most important thing,” Ronaldo said. “He follows his path, I follow mine. He’s done a good job, from what I’ve seen. We carry on, the legacy continues, the rivalry – I don’t see it that way.
He added, “I said, ‘We shared the stage for 15 years and ended up with it,’ I wouldn’t say friends, but we are colleagues and we respect each other.”
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Messi now plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
With several players securing big money transfers to football clubs in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has spoken out about the criticisms leveled against the Saudi Professional League (SPL).
“It is normal to be criticized, which league is not criticized? Where are there no problems or controversies?” he inquired.
Ronaldo also credited himself with developing the league and attracting other stars to join it.
He said, “I knew, and I still say, that everyone thought I was crazy… The crazy one isn’t crazy anymore.” “Playing in the Arab League has become a matter of course.”
Ahmed Yousry/Reuters
Ronaldo now plays among several other new signings in the Saudi Professional League.
Since Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia, Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic have been among the star names who moved to the Premier League.
He added, “As a player in Al-Nassr, I knew this would happen. It is a great honor to change the culture of a country and football. Having big names makes me proud.” You were a pioneer, and I am proud of that.”
“What I want is to keep growing always, until I become world class.”