Lionel Messi has openly recognized Ronaldo Nazario as the finest footballer he has ever witnessed. The Brazilian legend, known as O Fenomeno, won the Ballon d’Or twice and claimed the FIFA World Cup twice with the Selecao, highlighting a stellar career that impressed even one of football’s greatest stars. Messi, often hailed as one of the best players ever, praised Ronaldo’s all-around abilities in an interview with TyC Sports in 2020.
“Ronaldo Nazario was a phenomenom. Of all the strikers I have seen, for me he was the best. An impressive player from any aspect,”
said Messi.
Messi Reflects on His Time with Ronaldinho at Barcelona
As a teenager breaking into Barcelona’s first team, Lionel Messi found a mentor and friend in Ronaldinho, who was already a major star at Camp Nou. Messi has explained how Ronaldinho’s support helped him transition into professional football and build his confidence both on and off the pitch.
“He helped me a lot. I came into the dressing room at 16-years-old. Doing so and seeing all these greats was difficult. He took me under his wing, he made me feel comfortable, so that I let go,”
said Messi.
Messi also fondly remembered their time playing together on the field, expressing a wish that he had more opportunities to share the pitch with Ronaldinho during those years.
“On the pitch I was always looking for him. We played for a few years together. In this era I didn’t play much. I would have liked to play a lot more with him.”
The Argentinean appeared alongside Ronaldinho in 80 matches for Barcelona, a period that helped shape his early career.
Insights on the Intense Rivalry Between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have provided football fans with one of the most extraordinary rivalries in the sport’s history. Discussing this competitive relationship with DAZN, Messi described their ongoing duel as unique and lasting, emphasizing the challenge of maintaining high performance levels over many years while competing for two of the world‘s most demanding clubs.
“It was a special duel with Cristiano that will remain forever. It lasted many years, and it is not easy to maintain certain levels for a long time,”
said Messi.
“Our teams were also very demanding: Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two strongest clubs in the world. Competing as equals for so many years is something that will remain forever.”
Looking Ahead: Messi’s Future Beyond the Current Season
At the age of 37, Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the season’s end, with no new agreement signed as of now. The football world is watching closely to see where the Argentinean superstar will continue his career, adding anticipation to what comes next for one of the game’s most decorated players.