Messi: 'Ronaldo and I Always Respected Each Other'

In a recent interview, football icon Lionel Messi shed light on his relationship with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, emphasizing mutual respect despite their fierce on-field battles. Messi reminisced about the "great sporting rivalry" between Barcelona and Real Madrid, where he and Ronaldo were the star players. He clarified that their competition was purely professional, confined to the pitch and the context of their clubs' successes.

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What happened was a great sporting rivalry. I played for Barca, and he (Ronaldo) played for Real Madrid. We competed in every aspect, both collectively and individually, so people always compared us.

Messi explained that encounters between the two were limited to matches and award ceremonies, and during these times, they maintained a positive relationship. He acknowledged that they are now in different stages of their careers but reflected fondly on the era of intense competition that defined an era of Spanish football. This perspective offers a nuanced view of a rivalry often sensationalized by media, highlighting the underlying sportsmanship.

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We don't meet often, except at matches or award ceremonies. And we always maintain a good relationship. Now, we are in different stages of life, but what happened was a great sporting rivalry.

Beyond his reflections on Ronaldo, Messi also spoke about his former Barcelona teammate Neymar. He voiced his strong desire to see Neymar compete in the 2026 World Cup, underscoring Neymar's significant talent and his importance to the Brazilian national team and the global football community. Messi believes the World Cup should feature the best players, and Neymar, in his view, undoubtedly belongs among them.

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The World Cup is where the best players in the world gather, and Neymar is always one of them.