While the fierce pitch battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi divided the football world for over a decade and a half, the Portuguese superstar has revealed a side to their relationship that few fans knew existed—one built on deep mutual respect, off-field warmth, and helpful collaboration.
In a wide-ranging interview with CNN Portugal, excerpts of which were published by The Athletic, the 41-year-old Al Nassr forward shared nostalgic memories from their 15 years sharing the stage at global award galas like the Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo disclosed that because Messi was less comfortable with English, he frequently stepped in as his informal translator and guide on stage. "We shared the stage for 15 years, and our relationship was always very good. I remember once or twice I translated for him in English, telling him: 'Messi, stay right here, the presenter will ask you a question and I will translate it for you,'" Ronaldo recalled with a smile.
Ronaldo emphasized that despite representing rival clubs and national teams, there was never any personal animosity. He compared their intense duel to Formula 1’s legendary rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, noting that both superstars pushed each other to reach unprecedented heights in football history. While Messi leads in overall Ballon d'Or titles (8 to 5) and holds a World Cup trophy, Ronaldo maintains the edge in UEFA Champions League titles (5 to 4). Nevertheless, Ronaldo reiterated that mutual respect was the cornerstone of their historic era.
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Reported by Sports Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
