Lionel Messi reflects on his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo

A rivalry that aged like fine wine, the one between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has subsided ever since both left Europe. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Middle Eastern outfit Al Nassr, while Lionel Messi continues to enjoy his stay in America with Inter Miami. While there have been some online fan wars, both players continue to admire each other's strengths. Cristiano Ronaldo had applauded and thanked Messi for being a competitive rival in the past, and now it is Lionel Messi’s turn. The Argentine international has gone on to thank the Portuguese superstar for the same. 

Speaking to France Football, a sports outlet, Lionel Messi mentioned that it had always been a great battle in sporting terms. He also noted that both players were able to excel because they were fierce competitors who fed off each other. Messi also applauded Cristiano Ronaldo’s hunger to win everything all the time, a major driving force that kept the rivalry alive.

It’s always been a great battle, in sporting terms,

I think we’ve fed off each other with this rivalry because we’re both great competitors. He too always wanted to win everything all the time

Further continuing, c mentioned that it was a golden era for both football fans and the players themselves. He stated that both he and Ronaldo deserve a lot of credit for staying at the top for so long. He also highlighted the fact that while it is easy to reach the top, it is extremely difficult to remain there for more than a decade. Lionel Messi said:

It was a golden era for us and for every football fan. We deserve a lot of credit for staying at the top for so long. Because, as they say, it’s easy to get there. What’s difficult is staying there. We stayed at the top for 10, 15 years, I don’t know... It was spectacular and remains a great memory for everyone.

Who is Lionel Messi playing next in Major League Soccer (MLS)?

Recently, Lionel Messi was involved in a heated discussion with the referee after a foul on him was not awarded as a free kick. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are set to face Philadelphia in their next league fixture.