“I couldn’t care less… he plays in Qatar or I don’t even know where” - When Cristiano Ronaldo fired shots at Xavi for bold Lionel Messi claim
Back in 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi Hernandez had a verbal fight after the latter claimed that the Portuguese legend failed to match up his longstanding rival Lionel Messi. Xavi aimed the dig at Ronaldo while he was still at Barcelona, but the-then Real Madrid man clapped back at the Spaniard after he had left the Catalan club for Qatari side Al Sadd.
The Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry is arguably the greatest rivalry in the history of football, with each player pushing each other to their limits. In the process, fellow football players and coaches have had their say on who is the better between the two.
Having played for Barcelona, the club where Lionel Messi achieved most of his success, Xavi threw his weight behind the Argentine man in the debate. In response to Xavi’s remarks, Cristiano Ronaldo launched a scathing attack. He said (via Sky Sports):
"I'm the most searched player on the internet. Anyone who wants free publicity or media attention talks about me. I couldn't care less what Xavi says about me; he plays in Qatar or I don't even know where. He's won every collective trophy, including a World Cup and the European Championship, but he's never won a Ballon d'Or."
Xavi came closest to winning the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, and 2011, as he ended in the third position in each of the years. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has won more Ballon d’Or than his Portuguese counterpart, having clinched it eight times, with the latter winning it five times.
When Cristiano Ronaldo praised Lionel Messi and said his rivalry with the Argentine has come to an end
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had an illustrious career in Europe, winning multiple trophies and several individual accolades. After they left Europe for the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer respectively, Ronaldo was quizzed while on international duty in 2023 about Messi at Inter Miami.
Responding, he said (via NBC Sports):
''The rivalry is over. It was good, a healthy rivalry that spectators liked a lot. Whoever likes Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to hate Messi or vice-versa because they’re both very good. They changed the history of football, and they keep on doing it.
“We are respected throughout the world, that’s the most important thing. He makes his way, I make mine, even if we are playing outside Europe. He has done well, from what I’ve seen, and so have I. It’s about continuing. The legacy continues. The rivalry, I don’t see things like that.
"I’ve already said, we’ve shared the stage for 15 years and we ended up being, I wouldn’t say friends, because I never dined with him, but we are professional colleagues and we respect each other.”