Portugal and Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has long been involved in a professional rivalry with Argentina and Inter Miami ace Lionel Messi. And a former Manchester United man has asserted the Portuguese will not retire before equalling one of Messi’s achievements.
Cristiano Ronaldo Told He Is Chasing Lionel Messi’s Feat
During a recent interview with GOAL, former Brazil midfielder Kleberson was asked whether Ronaldo is desperate to match Messi’s one FIFA World Cup triumph later this summer.
“Inside of him… he probably feels, ‘Gosh, I have to win the World Cup, I can’t finish my career like this.’ He has to work hard. It’s not just him, it’s other players. Neymar is also probably thinking, ‘Messi has a World Cup, I don’t.’ (Erling) Haaland as well, he might not get a World Cup. It’s inside players, inside these top players,” the 46-year-old responded.
Kleberson, who helped Brazil win the 2002 FIFA World Cup trophy, used the example of ex-Brazil and Inter Milan striker Adriano to assert how difficult lifting the trophy can be.
“Look at Adriano… he’s a big name in Brazil. In Italy, he played at a great level, but he hasn’t won the World Cup. The World Cup is sometimes fair, sometimes unfair. I believe those guys look at me and think, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe Kleberson has a World Cup and I don’t!’ I don’t have five Ballons’ d’Or, but I have won the World Cup,” Kleberson said.
Ronaldo, who will turn 41 this February, is hoping to equal Messi’s 2022 FIFA World Cup win by lifting the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy this July. The Al-Nassr forward has won one UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles for Portugal in his career.
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Kleberson, who shared the soccer pitch with Ronaldo at the Old Trafford club between 2003 and 2005, was asked to shed light on his initial thoughts on the Real Madrid legend.
“We knew that he was a good player. You could see that the kid was really good… great with the ball, good personality. But, to look at him and be like, ‘Five Ballons d’Or, plays in finals, wins everything’… he has proved himself over a long period. It’s not like one or two seasons. He is still getting titles and trophies. He has a great story in football.”
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Ronaldo is currently in excellent form at the club level. The 40-year-old has netted 16 goals and provided 3 assists in 19 appearances in all competitions for Al-Nassr this campaign, converting five penalties in the process.
