The intense rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, often dubbed football’s greatest of all time (GOAT) debate, once spilled over into “angry text messages” from Ronaldo, according to his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand. The target of Ronaldo’s ire was pundit Gary Lineker, who has consistently voiced his preference for Messi.
Ferdinand revealed the exchange on BBC One during Euro 2020 (held in 2021), ahead of Portugal’s group stage clash with France. He explained that Lineker’s public backing of Messi prompted a strong reaction from the Portuguese superstar.
“He will send me a text saying ‘I can’t believe he said that, can’t believe he’s done that’,” Ferdinand recounted, elaborating on how Ronaldo uses such perceived slights as motivation. “He just uses anything [as fuel].”
Ronaldo’s relentless pursuit of greatness
According to The Mirror, Ronaldo’s competitive drive is legendary, with Rio Ferdinand describing him as someone fixated on being the best. “He was an obsessed human in terms of becoming the best,” Ferdinand said. That obsession helps explain why Ronaldo believes no player is superior to him, viewing any suggestion to the contrary as a challenge to prove himself once again.
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This mentality has been a cornerstone of Ronaldo’s career, enabling him to leverage negativity and external opinions to enhance his performances. Despite a career filled with accolades, including numerous club and individual honours, Ronaldo’s desire to silence critics remains undiminished.
Defying logic: longevity and evolution
According to Givemesport, Ronaldo’s longevity in the sport, particularly his ability to maintain and even accelerate his performance levels past the age of 30, “defies logic,” according to Ferdinand. Most players experience a decline in their thirties, but Ronaldo, who turned 36 in February 2021, continued to set records at Euro 2020:
- He became the first player to represent his country at five different editions of the European Championships.
- He broke Michel Platini’s record to become the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer.
- He was closing in on Iran’s Ali Daei’s all-time international goalscoring record.
Ferdinand attributes this sustained excellence to a combination of unwavering commitment, genetic good fortune, and a meticulous approach to every aspect of his game. Ronaldo’s playing style has also evolved; while his overall touches on the ball have decreased since 2004, his touches within the opposition’s penalty box – where he has the most impact – have significantly increased.
The context for Lineker’s preference stems from Lionel Messi’s own monumental achievements, which include winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the World Cup’s top goalscorer, and securing a record eight Ballon d’Or awards. However, for Cristiano Ronaldo, such comparisons only serve to ignite his relentless pursuit of individual supremacy, a trait vividly demonstrated by his reaction to Lineker’s comments.
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