As you will have heard, Cristiano Ronaldo turned 40 the opposite night time.
You’d assume this is perhaps a second for contemplative reflection. It was to an extent, with some a customary drive-by on his everlasting rival Lionel Messi and the philistines that dare take into account the Argentinian the higher footballer.
In your studying pleasure, right here’s Ronaldo’s newest saltiness, in addition to 5 different events that he’s confirmed as soon as and for all that Messi lives rent-free in his head.
Most full footballer
“Who’s one of the best purpose scorer in historical past? It’s about numbers. Full cease,” Ronaldo advised Spanish television present El Chiringuito.
“Who’s the participant in historical past who’s scored most targets with their head, their left foot, penalties, free kicks? I used to be trying the opposite day, and never being left-footed, I’m within the high 10 purpose scorers with their left foot in historical past. And with my head, and with my proper foot, and penalties. All of them.
“I’m speaking about numbers. I believe I’m probably the most full participant to have existed. For my part, I believe it’s me. I do the whole lot effectively in soccer: with my head, free kicks, left foot. I’m quick, I’m robust.
“One factor is style — in case you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I perceive that and I respect that — however saying Ronaldo isn’t full… I’m probably the most full. I haven’t seen anyone higher than me, and I say it from the guts.”
Speaking about your self within the third individual? Saying the phrases “I’m quick, I’m robust” out loud exterior of toddlerhood, not to mention a number of days wanting your fortieth birthday? Hmm.
Ronaldo says he understands and respects you in case you favor Messi. However studying subtly between the strains, we’re undecided that’s the case in any respect.
World Cup? Pfft.
Ronaldo could also be 40 years previous however he continues banging within the targets out in Saudi Arabia and doesn’t sound too occupied with retiring earlier than he reaches the milestone of a thousand profession targets.
Objective quantity 900 got here in a 2-1 win for Portugal over Croatia at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz in Lisbon again in September, and Ronaldo was in bits. Crying on his knees. It was the thirty fourth minute of the sport. God, we’d love to listen to Roy Keane’s ideas on that.
When Ronaldo was requested about this achievement after the sport, he mentioned all of the stuff you’d count on him to say—It means rather a lot, I labored actually onerous and so on. and so on. and so on. Honest sufficient. However then, he mentioned one thing somewhat odd:
“Portugal successful Euros is equal to successful a World Cup. I’ve already gained two trophies for Portugal that I actually needed. I’m not motivated by that. I’m motivated by having fun with soccer and the data come naturally.”
First issues first, the Euros aren’t equal to the World Cup, are they? They’re simply actually not. They are equal to the Copa America—let’s have that crystal clear. We’re prepared to let the sentence ‘I’ve already gained two trophies for Portugal’ slide—that’s probably just a bit translation difficulty. However the World Cup factor… There’s one thing consuming away in Ronaldo’s head there, and we reckon we all know what it’s.
Leo Messi has gained a World Cup along with his nation, and with a comparable squad to the Portugal groups of the previous decade or so. In actual fact, Ronaldo posted on his personal Instagram web page after Portugal’s elimination from the 2022 World Cup, “To win a World Cup for Portugal was the most important and most formidable dream of my profession.”
The Al-Shabab 5-finger Shuffle
In February 2024, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr beat Al-Shabab 3-2 within the Saudi Professional League because of a late winner from Talisca. Ronaldo transformed a penalty within the twenty first minute, and on the finish of the sport, all of it obtained a bit… X-rated. Right here’s how The Guardian reported on what occurred:
“After the ultimate whistle, chants of ‘Messi’ could possibly be heard within the stadium. Social media movies captured Ronaldo cupping his ear earlier than repeatedly pumping his hand ahead in entrance of his pelvic space. The motion seemed to be directed at Al-Shabab supporters.”
We don’t thoughts footballers giving it again somewhat in the event that they’ve been tormented all recreation. Might’ve in all probability finished with out the previous Tommy Tank gestures, although. Clearly, the Al-Shabab followers struck a nerve…
Instagram Pettiness (Half One)
Lionel Messi gained his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023. That’s two extra Ballon d’Ors than Cristiano Ronaldo and, at this level, with Messi in Miami and Ronaldo in Saudi, it appears to be like unlikely that both will win one other.
That may have lower Ronaldo to the wick.
AS journalist Tomas Roncero posted the next on Instagram:
“Howdy pals. What we knew occurred, they have been going to offer Messi one other Ballon d’Or once more. He went to retire in Miami, though he already appeared like he was retired at PSG getting ready for the World Cup. He gained the World Cup, sure, good, however with 6 penalties.
“The World Cup was 10 months in the past, it’s November. Messi has 8 Ballon d’Ors. He ought to have had 5. He has Iniesta/Xavi’s Ballon d’Or, Lewandowski’s who gained 6 trophies in a single season and Haaland’s who was the highest scorer.”
Ronaldo preferred the put up and commented with some laughing emojis, earlier than rapidly deleting that remark.
Sure, it was a disputable Ballon d’Or—there have been some very robust candidates. However, to be truthful, Messi did win the World Cup (undecided of the relevance of the variety of penalties, to be trustworthy). And if Messi enjoying in Miami is to rule him out, certainly Ronaldo enjoying in Saudi does the identical…? Lease free.
READ NEXT: Breaking down the astonishing stats behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s 900 profession targets
Instagram Pettiness (Half Two)
Two years earlier to the aforementioned Insta controversy, in 2021, Messi gained his seventh Ballon d’Or. Once more, some individuals weren’t completely satisfied about it—Cristiano included, apparently.
Ronaldo preferred an Insta put up that learn:
“And who does the prize go to? To Messi. Who solely gained the Copa Del Rey with Barcelona. And hasn’t scored a purpose towards Actual Madrid since Cristiano left. Disappeared within the large video games of the season. Gained the Copa America that was purported to be each 4 years like they do virtually yearly. He didn’t rating within the last or the semi-final. And he’s having a weak season with PSG personally.”
Ronaldo additionally added the remark “Factos” with a thumbs-up emoji and the large eyes emoji. The Portuguese tried to minimize the rivalry earlier than Messi was introduced as winner, telling reporters:
“I don’t care if Messi wins the Ballon d’Or. I do know that it’s not in my palms whether or not I win this award or not. All of it depends upon others. I’ve all the time remained the identical over the previous eight years of my profession. I’ve all the time performed at a really excessive degree. Identify me one different participant within the historical past of the sport who has finished the identical.”
Voodoo dolls of Leo Messi strewn throughout the ground in Ronaldo’s Saudi penthouse. Pins protruding of each inch of fabric. Holes punched in partitions and cracked tv screens. An image of Messi holding the World Cup and the Ballon d’Or adorn the partitions of the fitness center. We’re getting into tremendous villain ranges of hatred.
TRY A QUIZ: Are you able to identify the 24 worldwide groups Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t scored towards?
The Motherf*cker
Spanish soccer knowledgeable Guillem Balague printed a biography of Leo Messi titled, merely, ‘MESSI’ in 2013. In that e book, Balague instructed that regardless of Ronaldo trying to minimize any ill-feeling or something past a wholesome aggressive rivalry between himself and Messi within the public eye, behind closed doorways he felt very in a different way. A quote from the e book reads:
“And that’s the reason, in accordance with some Actual Madrid gamers, CR7 has a nickname for him: ‘motherf*cker’; and if he sees somebody from the membership talking to Leo, he additionally finally ends up being baptised ‘motherf*cker.’
“In that setting, Ronaldo often compares their relationship with that between the Republic of Eire and the UK. And the Madrid gamers, with their lower than delicate dressing-room sense of humour, have an extended checklist of jokes that embrace Messi as Ronaldo’s canine or puppet, or saved in a designer purse belonging to the Portuguese participant. And far worse.”
The Eire/UK analogy is wild and deeply inappropriate if true, however, transferring previous that, the motherf*cker factor is fairly humorous. Huge Samuel L. Jackson power. Fairly like the concept of Ronaldo shouting, “DOES HE LOOK LIKE A BITCH?!” at Angel Di Maria.
We must always level out that Ronaldo tried to take authorized motion towards Balague over this, so take this one with a pinch of salt.
