Messi Reflects on Ronaldo Rivalry, Praises Yamal Ahead of El Clasico

Lionel Messi reflected on his storied rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo as a "beautiful sporting rivalry" driven by competition rather than personal animosity, while singling out Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal for the highest praise ahead of this weekend's El Clasico.

In an interview with reporter Pollo Alvarez, the Inter Miami forward recalled the years when he starred for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid. "I was at Barcelona and he was at Real Madrid, and we were competing for everything both collectively and individually, so people were always comparing us," Messi said. "But our relationship was always good and respectful, and everything that happened was purely athletic. There was nothing personal."

The two faced off 36 times during their prime, including clashes in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League that captivated global audiences. Messi holds eight Ballon d'Or awards to Ronaldo's five, with the pair dominating the honor from 2009 to 2018. Their interactions were limited to matches and award ceremonies, where they remained cordial. Their last encounter came in a 2023 friendly, when Messi's Paris Saint-Germain defeated a Riyadh Season Team including Ronaldo's Al-Nassr...