Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken candidly about his long-standing rivalry with Lionel Messi, revealing that the two football stars have had more interactions than the public may have realised. The pair, who have been vying for the top spot in the football world for over a decade, have shared the stage at numerous award ceremonies, including the Ballon d’Or.
According to a recent interview with Talksport, Ronaldo disclosed that he often acted as an interpreter for Messi during these events, as the Argentine star was not fluent in English at the time. “I don’t know if he speaks a little English today, but at the time, I remember that I was his interpreter during the galas,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo and Messi have been rivals for many years, with their careers often being compared and contrasted. The two have won 13 out of 15 Ballon d’Or awards between them, with Messi taking home eight and Ronaldo securing five. However, despite their on-field rivalry, Ronaldo has expressed admiration for Messi, stating that he has “a lot of affection” for his long-time rival.
As reported by Talksport, Ronaldo also touched on his relationship with Spain, where he spent a significant portion of his career. He mentioned that his partner is Spanish-Argentine, which has fostered a deep appreciation for the country and its culture. “I really like Argentina, I’ve never been there, but I’d love to go,” Ronaldo said. “My partner is Argentinian, so how can you not love Argentina? I have a lot of affection for Argentinians and for Lionel Messi.”
The conversation then shifted to the topic of the Ballon d’Or, with Ronaldo offering his thoughts on who should be considered for the award. According to Talksport, Ronaldo believes that the award should be given to a player who wins the Champions League, rather than solely focusing on individual performances.
Ronaldo is set to face off against Lamine Yamal, a young Spanish sensation who has been touted as a potential Ballon d’Or winner in the future. However, as reported by Talksport, Ronaldo dismissed the idea that the upcoming match will be a duel between him and Yamal, despite both players leading their teams through the semi-finals. “It’s always been like that. Every time I play in a final, it’s Cristiano versus someone,” he said.
Ronaldo also had words of praise for Yamal, comparing him to his own son and highlighting the young player’s exceptional talent. As quoted by Talksport, Ronaldo said, “The kid is doing very well. He’s at a club and with a national team that supports him a lot, and he’s in a very conducive environment for his talent to flourish, which is very high.”
However, Ronaldo also cautioned that Yamal should be allowed to grow and develop without excessive pressure. According to Talksport, Ronaldo advised, “What I ask is that they let the kid grow peacefully, that they don’t put so much pressure on him, for the good of football. To enjoy a talent like that for many years, we have to let him be at peace, let him grow calmly.”
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