“He said, ‘Messi, but you’re asking the wrong question’” - When Piers Morgan made big revelation on what Cristiano Ronaldo told him about Lionel Messi
TV personality Piers Morgan had revealed what Cristiano Ronaldo said about Lionel Messi and the best player debate in an interview in 2022. The interaction from two years ago is back in the news after the Portuguese made headlines during the international break.
5-time Ballon d'Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, scored goals no. 900 and 901 of his career in the ongoing UEFA Nations League. The 39-year-old breached the 900-goal milestone in Portugal's 2-1 win over Croatia last week. In the match against Scotland, he came off the bench to bag the winner in the 88th minute.
With the Al-Nassr star swelling his goal tally, the debate for the best player of the world resurfaced. An interview of Piers Morgan on TalkSPORT from 2022 where Ronaldo picked Lionel Messi as the best player he has seen has gone viral again.
Morgan revealed the conversation he had with the Portugal captain.
"I had a very interesting conversation with Cristiano, we had dinner after I first interviewed him three years ago, it was a really great conversation and I really like him as a person," he said.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward picked Lionel Messi as the best player he has seen, although with a caveat.
"He was incredibly respectful about Messi and I said to him, 'Who's the best player you've ever seen?'" Morgan recalled asking Cristiano.
"He said, 'Messi, but you're asking the wrong question, you're not asking me who is the best player…', because, of course, he has never seen himself play live. So, that made me laugh," the TV presenter revealed.
Cristiano Ronaldo's record of five Ballon d'Or trophies is only bettered by Lionel Messi, with eight. The dimunitive Argentinian is currently playing with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami.
"The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the great rivalries of any sport ever" - Morgan
Piers Morgan also spoke about how Cristiano Ronaldo shared his admiration for other greats such as Brazil's Ronaldo and Ronaldinho along with George Best and Paul Gascoigne. The Portuguese superstar told Morgan that the longevity in careers that he and Lionel Messi have had separates them from the other greats.
In the interview Morgan also shared his opinion of the duo and the influence they had in each others' careers.
"Messi and Ronaldo have had 18 or 19 years at the very top of their game, and that's testament to their extraordinary dedication, their remarkable physical fitness and their rivalry, which has without any question driven the other to ever greater heights," he said.
"I think it's been one of the great rivalries of any sport ever, so we're very lucky to have them," Morgan added.
Lionel Messi, who is is nursing an ankle injury he suffered in the 2024 Copa America final, is expected to return to action this month. Cristiano Ronaldo, after his exploits with Portugal, will return to Saudi for his side's league match against Al-Ahli Saudi on Friday, September 13.