Ronaldo and Marcelo worked together for almost a decade to stop Barcelona and Lionel Messi, but Ronaldo has called Messi the hardest player he has ever faced.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo worked together for almost a decade to stop Barcelona and Lionel Messi, but Ronaldo has said that Messi is the most difficult player he has ever faced in the game of soccer.
Despite having played against Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in his career, Marcelo acknowledges that Lionel Messi is the most challenging competitor he has ever competed against.
After a trophy-filled career during which he won the Champions League five times, the former Real Madrid player has just lately relocated away from the capital city of Spain. Four of those victories came with Ronaldo, with whom he developed an extremely close friendship at the Bernabeu, and with whom he shared the Bernabeu.
Because of the power of Real Madrid and Barcelona at the time, who were both headed by Pep Guardiola, many people believe that the era in which Marcelo, Ronaldo, and the rest of their teammates competed in El Clasico was the best ever. Lionel Messi was their talisman and was dominating the competition, winning multiple Ballon d’Or awards.
The Brazilian defender was one of the individuals tasked with keeping the Argentine quiet, and he made his emotions clear regarding the striker. He stated in an interview with The Athletic that “Messi is great” and “the toughest opponent I’ve ever played.” Everyone is aware of the quality that he possesses even at the age of 35, and it was the same in the past. El Clasico has always been considered to be one of the most exciting games, both to watch and to participate in.
“I count myself extremely fortunate to have been a part of one of the most successful eras of Clasicos. Yet, it wasn’t just Messi; there were a number of other players who were outstanding as well.
Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and David Villa were all members of Barcelona’s team when they won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011 and also dominated La Liga. Barcelona also won the European Championship both of those years. The Catalans had several impressive victories over their rivals, including a 5-0 thrashing of their opponents at the Nou Camp while Jose Mourinho was in charge of the team.
Los Blancos themselves racked up some significant victories during that time period, including overcoming their adversaries on their own turf in 2012 to almost clinch the championship. Marcelo stayed with the club after Ronaldo decided to leave for greener pastures elsewhere, and he continued to compete against Messi and Barcelona until he left in 2022.
On his friendship with Ronaldo, he was quoted as saying: “There were many films of Cris and I cracking jokes during practice, celebrating (“Siuuuh!”), and other antics; however, Sergio Ramos, Casemiro, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema… Football has provided me with a large number of pals. Naturally, what was discussed was always about Cristiano and the celebration, and while that is completely reasonable, I do have other friends than Cristiano with whom I do things that are not related to football.”
Ronaldo, who played a friendly against Brazil and Marcelo in the year 2008, had this to say about his former teammate: “More than a teammate, a brother that football gave me.” On and off the field, without a doubt one of the brightest stars I have ever had the pleasure of being in the same locker room with.”
