🚨 Dani Alves on facing Cristiano Ronaldo in Madrid:
🗣️ “No one in Barcelona ever liked him, both the club, players management. It wasn’t because of Messi or the rivalry, it was because of the damage he could do in just one moment.”
🗣️ “The worst feeling back then was losing the ball and seeing Real Madrid break with Cristiano involved. Once he had space, you knew you were in trouble. He was too direct, too powerful and too ruthless. You could defend perfectly for eighty minutes and he’d still find a way to punish you.”
🗣️ “It’s difficult to admit but there were moments when you looked at him and thought, ‘Imagine having that kind of beast on your side.’ Every team wants a striker with that mentality, that aggression and that hunger to decide games.”
🗣️ “Rivalries make you dislike players, but they also make you respect them. Cristiano was one of those players you hated facing, because you knew one mistake was enough for him to change the entire game.”
In a recent interview, former Barcelona midfielder and ex-Spain international player Xavi Hernandez was asked about Messi and Argentina performance in the final.
“Messi is my friend and a great player We shared so many unforgettable moments at Barcelona. But I also saw how he cheat in matches to win. I saw how they cheated in certain matches. The referee was clearly on their side in key moments. I’m glad the Spanish team conquered them when we faced them we showed what real football is about.”
When the interviewer asked about the 2022 final against France. Xavi shook his head and replied
“France was robbed that night. Messi’s goal was completely offside anyone who understands the game could see it. The decisions went one way the entire tournament. I respect Messi a lot, I really do. But real legends win matches without cheating in the game, without needing help from outside. That’s what separates the good from the truly great.”
In a recent interview, Luís Figo revealed that ten journalists shortlisted among the 100 Ballon d’Or voters have been delisted and removed for violating FIFA regulations in favor of Messi.
According to Figo, the journalists were caught attempting to manipulate and coordinate their votes in favor of Lionel Messi to win the award over other top contenders, including Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane.
Figo went further, stating: “For the past 15 years the awards have been rigged in favor of Messi. Only 3 out of the 8 he has won were truly deserved. I don’t know what the relationship between him and FIFA is, but I hope he’s brought to justice someday.”
🇦🇷🇵🇹⚽️ Exárbitro mexicano admite que Messi es pesado, mientras que Cristiano Ronaldo es un caballero dentro de la cancha.
Armando Archundia, considerado en su momento el mejor árbitro de América, contó una anécdota en la que asegura que, tras amonestar a Messi por fingir una falta, el argentino lo retó con la frase: “No sabes a quién estás amonestando, eh”.
En contraste, recordó que cuando le tocó dirigir a Cristiano Ronaldo, este fue muy amable. Incluso, después de un primer tiempo con muchas faltas y tarjetas, el portugués le dijo que ya había hablado con sus compañeros para que en la segunda mitad se dedicaran a jugar y bajaran la intensidad.
Durante casi dos décadas quisieron venderle al mundo la idea de que Messi era el “chico bueno” y Cristiano el “malo” y el “engreído”. Pero ese relato se cayó.
Hoy, Cristiano Ronaldo goza de una mejor imagen pública que Messi, y cada vez son más los futbolistas, entrenadores e incluso exárbitros que hablan de la soberbia de Messi y de la caballerosidad de Cristiano.
La vida es justa y bella.