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Mascherano, who has had his fair share of battles against the Al Nassr striker, and now coaches Messi, kindly disagreed with Ronaldo’s views.
Javier Mascherano and Cristiano Ronaldo back in the day (X)
Cristiano Ronaldo, the best in the world? Well, not really. Inter Miami coach and former Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano shared his two cents on the proud exclamation by the Portuguese striker, stating that he doesn’t subscribe to his views.
In an interview with journalist Edu Aguirre, Ronaldo self-proclimed to be the ‘most complete football player that ever existed, but also said he has no problem when people prefer Messi over him.
“I think I’m the most complete football player that has ever existed. People could like Messi, Maradona or Pele, and I respect it, but I’m the most complete,” Ronaldo was quoted as saying in an interview with Spanish media LaSexta TV.
“I’m the best player in football history. I haven’t seen anyone better than me in football history and I’m saying truth from my heart,” Ronaldo added.
During his time at Real Madrid, Lionel Messi starred in El Classico for Barcelona as the pair duelled on multiple fronts, writing their legacies together in what became one of the most competitive rivalries in football history.
Mascherano, who has had his fair share of battles against the Al Nassr striker, and now coaches Messi, kindly disagreed with Ronaldo’s views.
“I have a lot of respect for Cristiano and I don’t have to analyze his opinions. It’s what he thinks,” stated Mascherano at a presser for Inter Miami.
“I have my own thoughts and it isn’t that,” exclaimed the Argentine.
🗣️ “I have my own thoughts and it isn’t that”Javier Mascherano disagrees with Cristiano Ronaldo saying that he is the best footballer of all time 🏆
🎥: Inter Miami pic.twitter.com/J8VB4wwble
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 5, 2025
Despite all the bad blood between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Ronaldo also revealed that he did not have a ‘bad relationship’ with Messi.
“I’ve never had a bad relationship with Messi. We’ve shared 15 years of awards, and we’ve always gotten along well. I remember that I used to translate English for him, and it was very funny,” Ronaldo said.
“He defended his club and I mine, and his national team and I mine. I think we gave each other feedback. There were years when he wanted to play everything, and so did I. It was a healthy fight,” he added.
