Cristiano Ronaldo has offered a rare glimpse into his relationship with Lionel Messi, revealing that he occasionally translated English for the Argentine during award ceremonies while describing their long-running rivalry as one built on mutual respect.
Speaking to CNN Portugal, the 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward reflected on more than 15 years of sharing football’s biggest stages with Messi. Despite competing fiercely for trophies and individual honours, Ronaldo said the pair maintained a positive relationship away from the pitch.
“We shared the award stages for 15 years, and we always got along very well,” Ronaldo said.
He recalled moments when Messi needed help understanding what presenters were saying in English, explaining how he would translate instructions and questions for his long-time rival. Ronaldo described the exchanges as amusing and offered them as an example of the friendly interactions that existed behind the scenes.
Ronaldo Recalls Helping Messi at Award Ceremonies
Ronaldo’s account provides a more personal perspective on a rivalry that has dominated football conversations for much of the past two decades.
The Portuguese star recalled occasions when presenters explained what would happen next during award ceremonies and he stepped in to help Messi understand.
“I remember a time or two translating for him what they were saying in English,” Ronaldo explained, describing how he would pass on the information to the Argentine.
The anecdote highlights a side of their relationship that was often overshadowed by the competition between them. While supporters frequently debated their respective achievements, the two players also shared professional environments in which courtesy and cooperation remained possible.
‘It Was a Healthy Rivalry,’ Says Ronaldo
Ronaldo stressed that the competition between the pair never needed to become personal hostility.
“He always treated me well. Of course, he defended his club and I defended mine. He defended his national team and I defended mine,” he said.
“It was a healthy rivalry, like the one they had maybe Ayrton Senna and Prost. I think we motivated each other.”
His comparison to legendary Formula One rivals Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost underlines how he views the relationship: two elite competitors pushing each other to higher levels while remaining respectful of one another.
For years, Ronaldo and Messi were at the centre of debates over individual awards, goalscoring records and their influence on the game. Their contrasting styles and competing successes helped make the rivalry one of football’s defining narratives.
Ronaldo’s latest comments suggest that, from his perspective, the competition was a source of motivation rather than personal animosity.
A Rivalry That Defined an Era
The two superstars dominated individual football honours for more than a decade, collecting a combined 13 Ballon d’Or awards between 2008 and 2023. Messi won eight, while Ronaldo claimed five.
Their rivalry was particularly intense during their years at Barcelona and Real Madrid, when El Clásico regularly placed them on opposite sides of one of the sport’s biggest fixtures.
Those matches, along with their performances for Argentina and Portugal, fuelled endless discussions among fans and pundits about who was the greatest player of their generation.
Yet Ronaldo’s reflections offer a reminder that competition on the pitch does not necessarily translate into hostility away from it. Both players had strong reasons to defend their clubs and countries, but that did not prevent them from treating each other with respect.
Ronaldo and Messi Approach the Later Stages of Their Careers
The comments come as both players approach the later stages of their remarkable careers.
According to the supplied report, Messi recently played his final match for Argentina, prompting a public tribute from Ronaldo. The moment has renewed attention on the legacy of two players whose careers have been closely linked for so long.
Ronaldo continues to express confidence in his own standing in football history. He has described himself as “the most complete player” and said that preferring Messi is “a matter of personal taste,” while also acknowledging the motivation their competition created.
His latest remarks are consistent with that position: he remains confident in his own achievements while recognising the value of having a rival who continually raises the standard.
More Than Trophies and Statistics
For many football fans, Ronaldo’s story about translating for Messi humanises a rivalry often reduced to statistics, trophies and arguments over individual greatness.
The two players spent years competing for the sport’s biggest honours, but their shared experiences at award ceremonies also created opportunities for ordinary, friendly interactions.
Ronaldo’s account does not diminish the intensity of their competition. Instead, it offers a different perspective on how two of football’s most celebrated figures navigated an extraordinary period in the sport’s history.
Their legacy will continue to be debated for years, but Ronaldo’s message is clear: fierce competition and mutual respect can coexist.
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Esther Afriyie Kumah is the Digital Media & Operations Manager and a writer AL Media Sports, the sports division of AL Media Group. She specializes in sports journalism, content and video production, covering Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, and African football with in-depth match reports, tactical analysis, player ratings, and expert insights.