"I might have been sipping a beer watching him" - Frank Lampard reveals why he stayed away from Cristiano Ronaldo on holiday
Former player Frank Lampard recently revealed the unique reason why he avoided Cristiano Ronaldo when he bumped into him on a holiday a few months ago.
Speaking on BBC Sport ahead of Portugal's opening match in the Euro 2024, Lampard shared his story of bumping into Ronaldo on vacation. The former Chelsea legend revealed that he avoided him as he was in fantastic shape and his daily sunspots was a bit down from him.
"I actually bumped into him on a holiday few months ago. I was in the same hotel on the beach. Unfortunately his sunspot every day was a bit down from me and I made sure to stay away from him because he was in incredible shape, so I gave him a little bit of distance! I pulled him over [as] I wanted my son to have a picture because of the player he's been. I quickly put my t-shirt on and had a nice picture with him." Lampard revealed.
Lampard added that Ronaldo had been going to the gym twice with his trainer even on vacation and he applauded him for his dedication while sipping on a beer.
"I noticed he was going to the gym twice a day with his personal trainer. Just shows you his dedication to what he does. I might have been sipping a beer watching him and I did give him a ripple of applause as he walked back," he added.
When Frank Lampard thought one aspect of Cristiano Ronaldo gave him an edge over Lionel Messi
Although Frank Lampard has admitted to being a fan of Lionel Messi in the past, he claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo has an edge over Messi in one aspect.
In a 2021 segment of Overlap Xtra with Gary Neville on YouTube, Lampard was asked to choose between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The former Chelsea legend felt that Ronaldo's statistics, particularly the goals scored in semi-finals and finals, give him an "edge" over Messi.
"You know what, I've always been a Messi man… and then I watched your debate with Jamie Carragher recently. I actually think for Ronaldo's output and actual numbers, and goals in big finals and semi-finals like we've seen, I think I maybe give him the edge. That's going to start a load of hate, now!" Lampard told Neville (via The Mirror).
Lampard previously chose Messi over Ronaldo in a 2020 interview, when he picked the Argentine for his "natural talent." However, he seemed to have had a change of heart in 2021, especially after watching Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville's discussion on the topic in an episode of Sky Sports Monday Night Football.
Since then, Leo Messi has won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, leading to many considering him the GOAT. Lampard is yet to share his current stance on the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Leo Messi debate. However, the tables could turn for many if Cristiano Ronaldo can win the Euros once again with Portugal this year.