Katia Aviero, sister of Cristiano Ronaldo, previously revealed that the Portuguese superstar’s family does not mention Lionel Messi’s name.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been fierce rivals on the pitch for over 15 years now. The two faced each other during the Clasico era of the 2010s, when Messi played for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid. Both pushed each other to give their best on the pitch.
So obviously, this rivalry has spilled over off the field as well. Even Ronaldo’s family maintains rivalry within the home.
Why is talking about Messi forbidden in Cristiano Ronaldo’s house?
Apparently, in his house, no one dares to mention the name Lionel Messi. This was done to ensure that Ronaldo did not feel stressed in his daily life. It also allowed him to enjoy his time with his family without having to hear about football-related topics.
According to Sportskeeda, in an interview in 2018, Katia Aveiro said: “We don’t talk about Messi at home. Cristiano knows that behind the door there is a whirlwind. And that when he walks through the door from the outside to the inside, he is protected. This is where he recharges all his batteries.
At the time, the two regularly competed on the field for the most important trophies. The Barça-Madrid rivalry was also huge at that time. There is no doubt that there was pressure on Ronaldo to surpass Messi in every aspect.
The enormous pressure was already taking its toll on him. If he managed to perform consistently on the pitch, so did Messi. The fans constantly demanded success and Ronaldo felt it.
His family therefore wanted him to protect him from outside pressure while he was at home. The father spent time with his children, mother and siblings when he wasn’t training or playing.
Is Messi vs Ronaldo the biggest rivalry in football?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the best players to ever grace a football pitch. Both men have won 12 Ballon d’Ors over the past 15 years. The debate over who is the best football player is endless. Even people who don’t follow the football debate about who is the best player. Many celebrities, personalities, and even former players sometimes weigh in with their opinions.
The debate made this rivalry one of the greatest in the history of football, if not the history of sport.
Cristiano Ronaldo, now 38, joined Saudi side Al Nassr in January after parting ways with Manchester United. The Saudi club offered the star footballer a contract that made him the highest paid player in the world. He is in great form there with 14 goals in 19 matches.
Messi currently has 16 goals and 16 assists in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint Germain. The Argentine won the World Cup and also has two more Ballon d’Ors than his eternal rival, giving him an extra edge in the GOAT debate. He is also in in the running for an 8th Ballon d’Or this year. He is expected to leave this summer and could possibly join Barcelona.
There is also an offer from Al Hilal for Lionel Messi. If he accepts the offer, Messi and Ronaldo could be back together in the same league and reignite their rivalry.
