We, the general football-consuming public, have always assumed the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry was like this:
Photo: @jasondh153 | Twitter
But, in a recent interview, Cristiano Ronaldo has implied the relationship between him and Messi is more like this:
Which is to say, there is no rivalry. This summer Messi gave an interview in which he expressed the exact same sentiment, that there is no rivalry between him and Ronaldo, no matter how much we the media and the general public hype it up.
In an interview with the BBC Ronaldo claimed the rivalry was nonexistent, but he did say some interesting things about his diminutive Argentinian non-rival. See for yourself:
Ronaldo's quote, "In my mind I'm always the best," would seem to suggest there is room for a rivalry with other people who also consider themselves the best (a.k.a. Messi). He goes on: "Maybe in the (general public's) opinion Messi is better than me but in my mind I'm better than him." No rivalry here, no sir-ee.
Ronaldo quickly puts this rivalry notion to rest.
"For me rivals don't exist."
"Rivals are in war. In football, it's just a game."
Various groups of ultras will be disappointed to hear that, but it sounds about right in terms of a common-sense perspective.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
