New Delhi: Will football fans get to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play together for the same club? The Portuguese icon has not ruled out playing alongside his greatest rival, but admitted the epic move will be difficult, considering time is not on his side. Ronaldo is set to leave Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr after his contract expires this month.
The Portuguese superstar has been linked with multiple clubs as Ronaldo remains a prolific goalscorer despite having turned 40. Messi, too, is in the twilight of his career at 37 and is currently playing his trade for Inter Miami in the MLS. Both players enjoyed one of the greatest personal rivalries in professional history in their prime and were unstoppable in world football.
While Ronaldo moving to Inter Miami in the MLS to play alongside Messi will be a dream come true for millions of football fans around the world, the epic move appears unlikely. However, Ronaldo hasn’t ruled out a potential link-up with the Argentine maestro in the future despite being in the fag end of his glorious career.
Speaking ahead of the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain, Ronaldo opened up on his admiration for Argentina and its people. The Portuguese superstar said his wife, Georgina Rodrigues, is an Argentinian and that he has a lot of affection for the people of Argentina. Ronaldo also opened up on the mutual respect between him and Messi while addressing the chances of them playing together.
“You know I have a lot of affection for Argentina, my wife is from there. I have already been invited to play in the Club World Cup for an Argentine club. You never know… the time is there,” said Ronaldo.
“I am already 40 years old, but you never know. But I think it is very difficult. I have never been to Argentina, I want to go, I have a lot of affection for the Argentines,” he added.
“I also have an affection for Messi. The truth is, we were rivals for many years, but I have said in a few interviews that we’ve been on the stage for 15 years. I remember back then, but I don’t know if he speaks a little English now, but Messi didn’t speak any English. I used to translate for him when they explained what we had to do at the gala, blah, blah, blah…and I translated for him.
“I have affection for him because he always treated me well and respected me a lot just like I respected him. But I think it’s very unlikely (on joining Inter Miami)…though you never know,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo eyes Nation League triumph with Portugal
Ronaldo will be looking to play his part in helping Portugal win the Nations League title when they lock horns with Spain in the final on Monday. The final will also witness the clash between two generations of football as one of world football’s future superstars – Spain’s Lamine Yamal will go up against Ronaldo, who is in the twilight of his career and is regarded as one of the best players of all time.
17-year-old Yamal is regarded as the next big thing in football and is already a strong contender to clinch his maiden Ballon d’Or this year after winning the La Liga and Copa del Rey with Barcelona. Yamal also played a starring role in Spain’s Euro triumph last year.
Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo recently opened up on the prospect of playing together with eternal rival Lionel Messi at the same club as he looks set to leave Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
