He wasn’t interested in Ronaldo? Barcelona legend reveals how Lionel Messi dealt with rivalry with Portuguese star

Although both play in different leagues, in different countries and on different continents, we still see comparisons between them. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will probably be compared forever. However, the two clearly see their rivalry differently. The Argentine star’s former teammate and Barcelona legend has spoken out about the Argentine star’s approach.

The days when the two would fight over who would win the Ballon d’Or are sadly over. Time simply cannot be stopped. However, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still constantly the targets of comparisons to this day. Even though they both play in a different league, in a different country and on a different continent.

While the Portuguese is still doing his best to break all sorts of records in Saudi Arabia, the Argentine star is enjoying the end of his career in Florida with friends and former teammates. Not that the Barcelona legend doesn’t have the passion, but you can tell he enjoys football and isn’t just about chasing numbers.

It almost seems that while Lionel Messi no longer has anything to prove to anyone, which is true anyway as he holds a record of eight Ballon d’Or and has won everything he could, including the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo looks as if he has won nothing.

It has been mentioned a lot that the Portuguese is obsessed with his rival. After all, the fans make a compilation of his statements. He has mentioned that he is the best footballer in the world. He talked about wanting to win the World Cup, hold the most Ballons d’Or and all sorts of records. But unfortunately, he didn’t succeed.

And when fans in Saudi Arabia chant the name of his rival, the Real Madrid icon doesn’t take it well. Conversely, when supporters at the Argentine’s games chant Ronaldo’s name, it does nothing for the Barcelona legend.

What does Lionel Messi have to do with rivalries?

The question of whether Lionel Messi was obsessed with his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo was answered in an interview with talkSPORT by his former teammate Gerard Piqué, who also played alongside the Portuguese at Manchester United.

“He wasn’t that kind of person. He was focused on the team. Even though he was always making the headlines in all the newspapers, radio and TV stations. He was with us every day. He was close to us and was only focused on winning trophies,” the former great defender was heard saying.

“Of course, then Leo started winning the Ballon d’Or. But he was winning because he was the best. Itwasn’t a priority for him,” Piqué added.

Source: talkSPORT, Transfermarkt