Messi, not my friend, but we respect each other – Ronaldo

By Daily Sports on October 29, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo has downplayed the significance of his rivalry with Lionel Messi and stressed that there is a mutual respect between them, even though the two are not friends.

The Real Madrid star and his Barcelona counterpart have dominated the Ballon d’Or election over the past eight years and they are widely regarded as the two best players in the game.

There is an ongoing debate about who is the better of the pair, but Ronaldo is adamant there is no bitterness between the two.

“There is a big mutual respect between myself and Messi,” the 31-year-old told Coach Magazine.

“The media like to make out like we have this big rivalry, but we don’t.

“It is not like we are good friends, but there is a mutual respect on both sides.”

Ronaldo has faced plenty of high-profile defenders since making his professional debut at Sporting CP, but there is one opponent who stands out for the prolific attacker.

“Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole, he does not give you a second to breathe,” Ronaldo added.

“He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game.”

A defender who has mainly been battling alongside Ronaldo is Pepe and the forward has nothing but praise for his team-mate.

“Pepe is the team-mate I would want next to me in a war,” he continued.

“Not only is he a fantastic defender, but he leaves nothing on the field. He gives everything.”   

(NAN)

•Photo shows Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 29, 2016


 

You may also like...
Man Utd Targeting Upset Win At Liverpool —...

Koeman Sent Off In Barca’s Shock Defeat To...

Abiodun appoints Onakoya sports ambassador

Osimhen: Napoli President Urges Fans To Be Patient...

Sutton Utd to face Arsenal, Blackburn host Man...

Messi firm on Argentina retirement

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,142 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,351 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,992 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,932 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,289 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,333 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,036 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,490 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,917 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media