Rivalry With Messi Has Ended – Rolando

Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has declared his rivalry with Argentina forward, Lionel Messi over.

Ronaldo affirmed this during Wednesday’s press conference ahead of the Portugal’s training session in Oeiras, just outside Lisbon, for their upcoming European Championship Qualifiers.

He said:

“I don’t see things like that; the rivalry is over. It was a healthy rivalry, and the spectators liked it a lot.

“Whoever likes Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to hate Messi and vice versa, because they are both very good. We’ve done well; we have changed the history of football, and we’ll keep on doing it. We are respected all over the world; that’s the most important thing.

“He makes his way; I make mine, even if we’re playing outside Europe. From what I’ve seen, he has done well, and so have I. It’s about continuing; the legacy continues.”

Messi and Ronaldo have been at the top of football for 15 years since Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 and Messi won his first in 2009.

The footballer said:

“I’ve said there’s no rivalry. We’ve shared the stage for 15 years, and we ended up being — I wouldn’t say friends — because I never dined with him. We are professional colleagues, and we respect each other.”

Aside from the Portuguese and Argentinians, only two stars have lifted football’s most coveted individualised; Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022.