Cristiano Ronaldo sets record straight on Lionel Messi 'hatred' in typical fashion
Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he has 'never hated' Lionel Messi despite their rivalry
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Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he has never hated Lionel Messi and only has respect for his long-term rival.
The pair are two of the best footballers in history, with their spells at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively particularly spectacular to watch unfold.
These days, both players are strutting their stuff outside of Europe.
Ronaldo is playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, having moved to the Middle East last year following a turbulent second stint at Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo has only positive things to say about Lionel Messi
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Messi, meanwhile, moved to David Beckham's Inter Miami on a free transfer after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired.
Ronaldo has now insisted his rivalry with Messi is 'gone', while also revealing he has never had any animosity or hate towards the Argentine.
"Hatred? I don't see things like that, the rivalry is gone," said the 38-year-old. "It was good, spectators liked it."
And Ronaldo then said, in typically confident fashion, that they'd both 'changed the history of football'.
"Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi and vice versa," he continued.
"We've done well, we have changed the history of football.
"We are respected all over the world, that's the most important thing.
"He's followed his path and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe. From what I've seen, he's been doing well and so have I.
"The legacy lives on, but I don't see the rivalry like that.
"We shared the stage many times, it was 15 years. I'm not saying we're friends, I've never had dinner with him, but we're professional colleagues and we respect each other."
Ronaldo has shown United what they're missing after dazzling for Al-Nassr since his arrival at the tail end of last year.
And the veteran bagged his 850th career goal on Saturday against fellow Saudi side Al-Hazm.
Ronaldo has admitted he never thought he'd be able to scale such heights - while also revealing he's proud of his achievement.
"It's a historic landmark," reflected the Portugal international.
"For me it was a source of pride the numbers I achieved, which I didn't think I could reach.
"But I want more. While playing the game, the bar has to be high, thinking big."
Meanwhile, last November, Ronaldo described Messi as 'amazing' and gushed over their rivalry.
“Amazing player, he’s magic, top…as a person, we share the stage for 16 years, imagine, 16 years, we share. So, I have great relationship with him," he said.
"I'm not his friend in terms of, what I mean 'friend' is the guy who was with you in your house, speaking on the phone, no, but it's like a team-mate.
"He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speaks about me.
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Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo on a free transfer last year following his departure from Man Utd
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"Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they're from Argentina. My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good.
"What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football.
"Playing on the same team? We would sell a lot of shirts!