Messi steers clear of Ronaldo debate

Posted Monday, November 05, 2012 by ESPN

Barcelona star Lionel Messi managed to avoid controversy by speaking in glowing terms of his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent interview.

The Catalan forward was interviewed by El Mundo Deportivo where he was required to provide responses to one-word questions or topics posed by the Barcelona-based sports news outlet.

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner was, unsurprisingly, asked to comment on Real Madrid's Ronaldo - a player Messi has frequently locked-horns with in the battle to be named by FIFA as football's best player each year.

"Cristiano is a fantastic player," Messi said.

"I don't know him personally but he's one of the best footballers in the world."

Messi was also pressed for his thoughts on Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who is a controversial figure in the Barca-Real rivalry given his outspoken and sometimes confrontational nature.

He described Mourinho as "a brilliant manager" but the Argentinean's highest praise on the night was reserved for Barca team-mate Xavi Hernandez.

"Besides being a good player he's an amazing human being, I hold him in high esteem," Messi said.

"We've been together for a long time and the truth is that we're good friends."

Barcelona, Messi, Real Madrid, Ronaldo, Mourinho, and the media circus which accompanies the fascination that exists for Spain's two biggest football institutions heads to Europe this week for the midweek UEFA Champions League games.