Ronaldo: 'I do not agree that Messi is better than me'

Cristiano Ronaldo flatly denied the notion that Lionel Messi is better than him in a preview of his interview with Piers Morgan.

In the upcoming teaser interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo was once again questioned about his two-decade rivalry with Lionel Messi. When asked if he agreed that Messi is better than him, the Al-Nassr star responded firmly: “I do not agree that Messi is better. I don’t want to be modest.”

This statement quickly attracted attention, as the rivalry between the two legends, Ronaldo and Messi, has long been one of the most passionately debated topics in modern football history. Both have dominated world football for 20 years, winning numerous team and individual titles, becoming irreplaceable icons of their generation.

Throughout his career, Ronaldo has repeatedly claimed he is the better player compared to his Argentine counterpart, while Messi often remains silent. However, both have always shown special respect for each other.

Ronaldo said this in an interview with Piers Morgan in 2022. “We have shared the stage for 16 years, and just imagine, 16 years. I respect him a lot. Although we are not close friends in the usual sense, I always regard Messi as a valuable colleague. He and his family behave very respectfully. My girlfriend is also Argentinian, so there is no conflict between us. Messi is a good person who does everything for football.”

To date, Ronaldo and Messi have faced each other 36 times. The Portuguese star has won 11 matches, lost 16, and drawn 9 against his greatest rival. Their last official encounter was in the 2020/21 season when Messi was still at Barcelona and Ronaldo played for Juventus — that match ended with Juventus winning 3-0 in the Champions League.

Currently, although both are in the twilight of their careers, they still maintain impressive form. Ronaldo is shining at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi is performing spectacularly for Inter Miami in MLS. They may not have the chance to face each other again, but the legacy and era of dominance by Ronaldo and Messi will be remembered as one of the most glorious chapters in world football history.

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