Comparisons between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been going on for a decade and half. To put it in perspective, it is Michael Olunga vs Victor Wanyama magnified, to say the least. Since 2007, the two together have a combined 11 Ballon d’Ors and have been constantly battling it for the best player of the year rewards.The former Real Madrid winger has previously said that his rivalry with Messi pushed him to be a better player.”I have no doubt that Messi has made me a better player and vice-versa.” Ronaldo said while speaking in 2019.Arsenal after ‘the next big thing’ from PortugalThat diplomatic statement aside, Ronaldo is, as everyone already knows, almost pathologically addicted to success.According to his former teammate Rio Ferdinand – if TV pundits prefer Lionel Messi, Ronaldo will text them seeking an explanation.Former England defender and Ronaldo’s teammate in Manchester United said that when it comes to the game – the Portugal footballer is an “obsessed human”.”He’s a phenomenal player but someone who thinks about everything in the game to get every little bit out of himself. He uses negativity as fuel.” Ferdinand spoke during the BBC’s Euro 2020 coverage.Former England player turned presenter Gary Lineker openly believes Messi is a greater player than Ronaldo and during the coverage of Portugal’s Wednesday game with France, Ferdinand shared an anecdote with Lineker that perfectly sums up Ronaldo and his approach to any competition.”You [Lineker] say Messi is the better out of the two. He will text me saying ‘why has he said that?’ “It’s his competitive nature and you need that to be the best.”’If Sancho is not good enough for England, we should give him a German passport’If Ronaldo actually texted Ferdinand to complain about Lineker’s preference for Messi – it is unclear. It might be true but it is most probable that Ferdinand was making a hypothetical joke.Another characteristic of Ronaldo, that comes out of his hunger for success, is the deserved arrogance and the way he celebrates his goals. Even if it was from a penalty spot.According to Hungary national team coach, current Juventus forward has been taking his celebrations too far.Ronaldo has been told that while he remains a “great champion” he can also be “annoying”, with Hungary boss Marco Rossi accusing the Portuguese superstar of taking goal celebrations too far.Copa America off the field: Messi’s birthday surprise and Neymar’s row with BorjaRossi, Italian who has been leading the Hungarians since 2018, was disappointed to see the 36-year-old toast a successful penalty as if he had just secured back-to-back European Championship crowns for Portugal.”Ronaldo is a great champion but at times he can be annoying.”, Rossi told Gazzetta dello Sport of a man that has plundered 109 international goals and a further 674 at club level:”After the penalty with us he celebrated as if he had scored in the final. People notice these things.”
