The truth behind Ronaldo’s criticism of Messi that caused a stir online.

Recently, social networks have spread a clip of Cristiano Ronaldo allegedly “criticizing” Lionel Messi and “downplaying” the 2022 World Cup title. However, the truth behind the interview is completely different and the Portuguese star did not intend to attack or deny Messi’s achievements.

The misunderstanding started with a cut and paste

In the widely shared “teaser”, Ronaldo was asked about the statement “Messi is better than him”. CR7 briefly replied: “I disagree”. This answer immediately caused fierce controversy, making many people think that he was denying Messi’s talent and deliberately belittling the Argentine superstar.

However, when watching the full interview conducted by journalist Piers Morgan, things were different. Specifically, Piers Morgan only repeated Wayne Rooney’s statement that “Messi is better than Ronaldo”, and CR7 only responded with “No problem” – showing a calm, non-arguing attitude. Thus, the “I disagree” part was actually a product cut out of context, causing the public to misunderstand Ronaldo’s intention.

Ronaldo is misunderstood

Ronaldo does not “downplay” the World Cup, just talks about his personal perspective

During the same conversation, Ronaldo was asked if he felt “inadequate” for not having won the World Cup like Messi. CR7’s answer caught the attention of many people:

“Winning the World Cup is not my dream. Whether or not I win that title does not change my place in football history.”

The statement was quickly shortened to the headline “Ronaldo downplays World Cup title”, but the real content was much more philosophical and practical. Ronaldo did not deny the importance of the World Cup, but simply asked the question:

“Is a tournament of just six or seven games fair enough to judge who is the greatest player of all time?”

According to CR7, football is a long journey of dedication, perseverance and stability over many years. Therefore, relying on only one tournament to determine the “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) is not comprehensive.

Ronaldo still respects Messi

Ronaldo also paid tribute to his longtime rival:

“Argentina winning the World Cup doesn’t surprise me. They are a team with a rich tradition and are used to winning major titles.”

CR7 emphasized that he himself had great moments with the Portuguese team, especially the EURO 2016 championship and the 2019 Nations League. For him, those achievements are enough to be proud of and affirm his position in football history.

In fact, Ronaldo did not “criticize Messi” or “degrade the World Cup” as social networks spread. The entire controversy stemmed from editing and misinterpreting the context of his statement. The 40-year-old star just wanted to emphasize a personal point of view that titles are not the only measure of greatness, and a player’s true legacy lies in what they leave behind throughout their career.