Cristiano Ronaldo’s son was left shocked and in disbelief after meeting superstar Lionel Messi for the first time ever at the Ballon D’or awards in 2017
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Ronaldo talks openly about his relationship with Messi and their rivalry
Lionel Messi left Cristiano Ronaldo Jr shocked after the youngster met the superstar at the 2017 Ballon D’or awards ceremony.
When he met the Argentinian star, Cristiano Ronaldo ’s son refused to believe it was Messi at first – because he thought he was too short.
At the time, Messi and Ronaldo were in their decade long battle to be the greatest player in the world, with Ronaldo picking up his fifth Ballon D’or.
But when his son saw Messi, he refused to believe it really him because the 5ft 5in playmaker was smaller than he expected.
Dolores Aveiro, Ronaldo’s mother, revealed the hilarious incident in an interview from last year.
She said: “I was with him and I said, ‘look, it’s Messi,’ and he replied, ‘that’s not Messi, he’s short.’
“Then my son encouraged him to wave. Messi is a very good person.
“My grandson is already taller than him, it was a very fun moment.”
The incident highlights the huge respect the two megastars have for one another.
Despite their on-pitch rivalry over accolades, records, titles, and – at the time – El Clasicos, the two have always regarded one another with nothing but respect.
They are, after all, possibly the only peer of one another in football.
From 2009 to 2018 some of football’s greatest moments happened in La Liga as the two led Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Messi had previously come out and slammed the media for attempting to create a conflict between the two of them.
He said: “Only the media, the press, wants us to be at loggerheads but I’ve never fought with Cristiano.
“There are many admirable athletes. Rafa Nadal, Federer, LeBron – in all sports there is always someone who stands out and is admirable for his work.
“Cristiano stands out in football. There are many who stand out and always do their best.”
Ronaldo for his part, said he would never have become as good as he did without Messi.
He has previously said: “I have no doubt that Messi has made me a better player and vice-versa.
“When I am winning trophies it must sting him and it’s the same for me when he wins.
“I really admire the career he [Messi] has had and from his side, he has already talked of the disappointment when I left Spain because it was a rivalry that he appreciated.
“It’s a good rivalry but it’s not unique — Michael Jordan had rivalries in basketball, there was Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in Formula 1. The thing they all had in common is that they were healthy rivalries.”
The Portuguese star went as far to suggest that he’d enjoy sitting down for a dinner with the Argentinian one day.
He said: “I have an excellent professional relationship [with Messi] because we have been sharing the same moments for 15 years.
“We’ve never had dinner together but I don’t see why we can’t in the future. I don’t see a problem with that.”
