Cristiano Ronaldo calls out Lionel Messi haters, says those who like him ‘don’t have to hate the Argentine’

Ronaldo requests his fans to not hate Messi as the duo changed the sport's history forever and made modern football reach new heights with their unreal performances

Cristiano Ronaldo calls out Lionel Messi haters, says those who like him ‘don’t have to hate the Argentine’

Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo (Source: LA LIGA)

Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that his rivalry with Lionel Messi is no more, emphasizing that they have “changed the history of football.” This declaration comes after over a decade of fierce competition, during which they collectively won 79 trophies and became the only players to score over 800 goals each. Cristiano Ronaldo emphasized that fans who admire him don’t need to harbor hatred for Messi and vice versa.

He acknowledged their professional respect for each other but clarified that they were not friends. Ronaldo and Messi’s careers have taken them outside of Europe, with Messi now playing for Inter Miami CF in the MLS, while Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo also celebrated his recent milestone of becoming the only player to score 850 goals in his career and expressed his desire to continue achieving at a high level.

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Moreover, Ronaldo sees himself as a pioneer for other star players who have joined the Saudi Pro League, helping to change the football culture in the region. This statement from Ronaldo marks a shift from their intense rivalry to mutual respect, with both players now pursuing their careers on different continents. The debate over the greatest of all time will likely continue among fans and pundits.

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Ronaldo’s words suggest a desire to move past the rivalry and acknowledge their impact on the sport. The Ronaldo-Messi rivalry has been a defining narrative in football for years, with their individual and team successes consistently compared and analyzed. Now, as they enter the later stages of their careers, they are taking on new challenges and leaving behind a legacy that has left an indelible mark on the history of football.

Related: Sergio Ramos apologizes to Sevilla fans and players for past actions ahead of return to his boyhood club

Lionel Messi in the race for his 8th Ballon d’Or with Erling Haaland

(L) Messi and (R) Haaland.
(L) Messi and (R) Haaland. (Source: Wefootballfans)

France Football has released the list of nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards, including the men’s Ballon d’Or, women’s Ballon d’Or, Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), and Kopa Trophy (best U-21 player). Notable names from the men’s category include seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022, and Erling Haaland, who achieved a treble with Manchester City last season.

Messi and Haaland are frontrunners for the award, with Benzema also nominated. Bonmati, Miyazawa, and Caicedo are contenders in the women’s category. Martinez, Ederson, and Ter Stegen vie for the best goalkeeper award.


The Kopa Award for the best U-21 player includes notable talents like Gavi and Pedri from Barcelona, Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid, Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich, and Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United. The highly anticipated Ballon d’Or ceremony is set for October 30th in Paris, where football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the announcement of winners in various categories.

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