Ronaldo: Messi and I Changed the History of Football and We Earn Respect
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has joined the Portuguese national team for the twentieth year, stated that he and his legendary rival Lionel Messi have changed the “history of football.”
The Portuguese star added that he still wants to elevate his level even at the age of 38.
Ronaldo’s first appearance with the Portuguese national team was in August 2003, and after nearly two decades, he became the all-time top scorer for the national team with 123 goals in 200 matches, a record.
Ronaldo is scheduled to play with his national team in an anticipated match on Friday as part of the qualifiers for the 2024 UEFA European Championship against the Slovakian national team.
Commenting on this, Ronaldo said, “I am proud of what I have achieved in terms of numbers, but I want more. When I play, the level must rise; I want to think of something big.”
Regarding his rivalry with Argentine star Lionel Messi, Ronaldo said, “If one loves Cristiano Ronaldo, he does not have to hate Messi. Both of us are very good players. We have changed the history of football. We earn respect worldwide. That is the most important thing. He drew a path for himself, and I drew a path for myself.”
The Portuguese national team has won all four matches it has played in the qualifiers for the 2024 UEFA European Championship and leads the group with two points more than the second-placed Slovakian national team.
The match between Portugal and Slovakia will be held on Friday at the Tehelné pole stadium in Bratislava.
