Cristiano Ronaldo shares untold Messi story, reveals he used to translate English for him at award ceremonies

For 15 years, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shared soccer’s greatest levels, competing for trophies and particular person honours whereas tens of millions argued over which ones deserved the title of the best ever. Away from the highlight, nonetheless, their relationship was friendlier than their rivalry instructed, with Ronaldo revealing that he even helped Messi perceive English throughout awards ceremonies. The Portugal captain has now opened up about their mutual respect, though he stays unwilling to surrender his declare to soccer’s final crown.

Ronaldo recollects serving to Messi at awards ceremonies

Speaking to CNN Portugal, the 41-year-old Al-Nassr ahead recalled how he often translated directions for Messi after they appeared collectively at award ceremonies, providing a glimpse of their relationship away from the competitors.“We shared the award levels for 15 years,” Ronaldo mentioned.“And we all the time acquired alongside very properly. I bear in mind a time or two translating for him what they have been saying in English, ‘Messi, you’re going to remain right here’.”Ronaldo defined that he would assist Messi perceive what presenters wished him to do, together with after they advised the Argentine that somebody would ask him a query.“Afterwards, she’s going to ask you a query. And I’d translate. The presenter would say to you: ‘We are going to do that’, and you’d inform Messi: ‘Yes, excellent’. And it was humorous.

For practically 20 years, Messi and Ronaldo have shared award levels, collected numerous trophies and dominated soccer’s greatest nights

He added that Messi had all the time handled him properly regardless of their competing loyalties.“He all the time handled me properly. Of course he defended his membership and I, mine. He defended his nationwide group and I, mine,” Ronaldo mentioned.Their rivalry typically appeared private to supporters debating their respective achievements, however Ronaldo offered it as a wholesome competitors between two gamers decided to maintain bettering. He in contrast their relationship to that of Formula One greats Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, whose rivalry helped outline their sport.“I believe there have been years the place he wished to offer the whole lot and rating, and so did I. It was a wholesome rivalry, just like the one that they had possibly Ayrton Senna and Prost. I believe we motivated one another,” he mentioned.

Ronaldo nonetheless refuses to name Messi the best

Their mutual respect has not modified Ronaldo’s place within the enduring debate over soccer’s best participant, despite the fact that Messi holds benefits in a number of main classes, together with World Cup success and Ballon d’Or awards, with eight to Ronaldo’s 5.Ronaldo accepts that particular person supporters will naturally favour totally different gamers, however he attracts a transparent distinction between private desire and questioning his personal capability.“Personal desire is one factor, saying this, this, this… choose Messi, Pelé, or Maradona. I perceive that and I respect it,” he mentioned.“But saying that Cristiano isn’t full is a lie.”Ronaldo’s argument rests closely on his extraordinary goalscoring file, with the ahead having scored 980 objectives throughout 1,337 skilled appearances for membership and nation. He believes his performances nonetheless obtain inadequate recognition, notably as dialogue more and more centres on whether or not he can attain 1,000 profession objectives.“People are usually not appreciating my present kind, my objectives,” Ronaldo mentioned.“They are extra involved with saying that there are 85 objectives left, 85 objectives to go… But I don’t like that. I don’t prefer it.”He additionally made clear that reaching 4 figures can be a unprecedented achievement reasonably than one thing that determines his place in soccer historical past.“Things need to occur naturally. If I rating 920 objectives, 925, 930… I’m the very best in historical past, full cease,” he mentioned. “Scoring objectives, the numbers converse for themselves. So, I’m not going to sit down right here and say that I’ve to succeed in a thousand objectives. If I attain it, incredible.”

Ronaldo’s retirement query provides urgency to the milestone

The interview comes amid uncertainty over how for much longer Ronaldo intends to proceed enjoying, after he instructed final month that he would in all probability retire when the Saudi Pro League season ends subsequent June. Asked about his long-term future, he has acknowledged that his motivation might change, making his remaining enjoying years tough to foretell.Ronaldo is now again with Al-Nassr after leaving Portugal’s nationwide group camp through the October global break following a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus. However, Portugal’s federation president and Jesus have since publicly expressed their need to welcome him again, opening the opportunity of a return throughout November’s global window, relying on the result of the disciplinary proceedings.

Soccer Football – Saudi Pro League – Al Nassr v Al Diriyah – Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – October 9, 2026 Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after scoring a objective that was later disallowed REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Messi, in the meantime, has reportedly introduced his Argentina global profession to an finish, with hypothesis additionally rising that he might retire altogether when the MLS season concludes with Inter Miami.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his aspect’s third objective from the penalty spot throughout his remaining match for the nationwide group, a soccer pleasant in opposition to Benin, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Oct.6, 2026. AP/PTI(AP10_07_2026_000009B)

Their careers are approaching their remaining chapters at totally different speeds, however Ronaldo’s feedback present that his respect for Messi doesn’t require him to give up their rivalry. Even after 15 years of competing collectively, he continues to imagine the numbers help his personal declare, whereas leaving open the opportunity of yet another exceptional milestone earlier than his enjoying days finish.