Messi praises Ronaldo as ‘phenomenal’

CAIRO - 8 June 2017: Lionel Messi praised Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday during his preparations with the Argentinean national team, which is set to face Brazil in a friendly match in Australia on Friday.

"We try to achieve the best every year for our team, and what is said outside of that I don't think is very important. He is a phenomenal player with a lot of quality. All the world knows, and that is why he is one of the best of the world," Messi stated when asked about the rivalry between him and Ronaldo, according to ESPN.

Ronaldo had an amazing year with Real Madrid after leading them to victory in the Champions League and La Liga, scoring important goals that helped Madrid win both titles.

Messi also talked about his contract renewal with FC Barcelona and said, “staying with Barca is what I have always wanted, what I have always dreamt of. I said that I always wanted to end my career in Barcelona.”

The competition between both players is high, especially since Ronaldo joined Madrid in 2009. Messi holds the record for most Ballon d’Ors won, with five under his belt. Ronaldo meanwhile has won four Ballon D’Or, and as both players are still in excellent form their rivalry is only going to intensify as both players compete to be the best football player in the world.