Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are arguably the two greatest footballers in modern football, and both share a fierce on-field rivalry.
Real Madrid’s Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Messi have been fighting for individual and team honours for the best part of a decade, most recently in the 2015 Ballon d’Or, which was won by the Argentine.
Both are supremely talented and have enthralled football fans all over the world with their mesmerising footballing skills and outstanding achievements for both club and country.
Despite their strong rivalry, Ronaldo insists that he and Messi enjoy a ‘good relationship’.
Ronaldo revealed after Real Madrid’s 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon on Sunday that he and Messi have grown closer over the years.
“We have become closer, we have always enjoyed a good relationship but perhaps in the last few years it has become a little closer,” Ronaldo told the reporters.
Ronaldo’s son is reportedly a big fan of Messi. During the 2014 Ballon d’Or ceremony, Ronaldo was humble enough to take his son to the backstage for a short tete-a-tete with Messi.
Both the superstars have openly revealed their admirations for each other from time to time, with Ronaldo recently admitting he would love to have Messi’s magical left foot.
Ronaldo also joked that he expected compensation for the translation services he provided at last week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich.
“When we were up there on the stage neither Messi nor Neymar speaks English, and I was their translator,” Ronaldo said. “I spoke with them later and told them not to forget to pay me later for the translation!”
The two rivals will face other once again on the football pitch in April, when Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in the clasico.
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