In the primes of their career, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had one of the greatest rivalries in soccer history as members of Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. To this day, both are primary subjects of a Men’s GOAT soccer debate, one that, by now, Messi has won handily with seven Ballon d’Or trophies to Ronaldo’s five and one World Cup trophy to Ronaldo’s zero.
But that hasn’t stopped Ronaldo from taking apparent potshots at Messi here and there, showing he’s probably a little bitter that Messi will have left behind a better legacy when all is said and done.
The latest example comes from Ronaldo’s strange comparative endorsement of the Saudi Pro League during a press conference. After a high-profile transfer from Manchester United, the superstar joined the league in January 2023. And at literally any time since January, Ronaldo could’ve endorsed the overall quality of his new league. At any time, he could’ve professed how much it apparently pushes him as an athlete.
Instead, he chose to talk up the Saudi League while bashing the MLS just days after Messi officially joined Inter Miami and began practicing with them. Hmm, curious timing!
🚨Cristiano Ronaldo: "Saudi league is better than MLS".
"I'm 100% sure I won't return to any European club. I opened the way to Saudi league… and now all the players are coming here". 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/nvgESZnjeK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2023
Ronaldo can endorse his own decision to take $220 million to play wherever he wants. That is his prerogative.
But it is impossible to see his juxtaposition as anything but a passive-aggressive shot at Messi joining the MLS, given the timing. Even after definitively losing the all-time battle, the man clearly hasn’t quite let go of his rivalry with the fellow all-time Argentinian great.
Soccer fans on Twitter read Ronaldo's Saudi endorsement as a shot at Messi
You know what's interesting? Messi never replies him 💀😂 https://t.co/8vjWwz1Al7
— ESAU (@Esau_Matsiko) July 18, 2023
I often wondered whether Ronaldo knows he had always been miles behind Messi and he got a free ride to the goat conversation purely based on the rivalry created by the media. Like I understand he has to fuel it but does he actually believe it? I think the answer is yes 😂 https://t.co/UwjO7Mhxg6
— Jimmy (@FCBJimmy_) July 18, 2023
Leo Messi is presented by Inter Miami… and suddenly this man feels the need to make the comparison a day later…
I thought it was only his fans… https://t.co/hwZhbzC5oR
— Sara 🦋 (@SaraFCBi) July 18, 2023
Bro let it go, Messi won😭 https://t.co/32B5NwfR66
— Abja🇯🇲 (@AbjaFCB) July 17, 2023
He’s so obsessed with Messi it’s unreal 😭 https://t.co/hUWsaeGsfV
— Lunihan (@LunihanV1) July 17, 2023
This is a very odd statement about the MLS. I wonder if it has anything to do with the World Cup winner Lionel Messi stealing all of the headlines for joining Inter Miami. https://t.co/RAdTKXOjXB
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 17, 2023
Had it not been for Messi, this guy right here would have retired long ago. Always in a secret competition with Messi, Meanwhile the Goat 🐐 is just living his life and enjoying his World Cup trophy in peace. https://t.co/ycrXyZ7cho
— LAW 🅴 (@_lawslaw) July 18, 2023
Messi lives in this guy's head rent free. Tell me what's the point of him saying Saudi league is better than MLS other than his obsession with Messi? It's so weird lol https://t.co/sPywTHcZKS
— J. (@JosipFCB93) July 18, 2023
Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me. Look at me! ME!!!!!!! https://t.co/OwxzeVtiN2
— Eric Krakauer (@EricKrakauer) July 17, 2023
