Ronaldo: Messi rivalry never existed

Posted Wednesday, July 18, 2018 by squawka.com

Juventus newcomer Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about his on-field relationship with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, admitting he has never considered the Argentine a rival.

The Ronaldo versus Messi debate has influenced football discourse across the globe for over a decade now, dominating discussion among football fans, and sparking arguments over who the greatest player on the planet is.

Between them, they have clinched 10 Ballon d'Or awards since 2008, with no other player coming close to winning the prestigious accolade since then.

And after nine years at Real Madrid, Ronaldo has finally called time on his illustrious career in the Spanish capital, bringing an end to one of the greatest football rivalries in history…or so we thought.

Ronaldo has since revealed to Portuguese publication Ojogo that he never had a rivalry with Messi or any other player for that matter: "I have no rivalries against players, I have never had it, it's not part of my ethics.

"Juventus will try to win every game and be as regular as possible, but we will not have any rivalry, not with players from Naples or Milan.

"They will defend their colours on the pitch, and in the end we will see who is the best."

Since moving to the Bernabeu from Manchester United in 2009, Ronaldo netted 311 La Liga goals in 292 appearances, while Messi – in that same time – scored 329 in 309 appearances.

Domestically Barcelona have been the more dominant side, with Messi winning six titles (out of his nine) since Ronaldo moved to Spain, while Ronaldo only secured two.

However, the Portuguese superstar won four Champions League trophies with Los Blancos to Messi's two during Ronaldo's time at Real, though the Argentine also has four overall.