Cristiano Ronaldo made sure to support Lionel Messi in his ordeal, following the touching message the Argentine star published to bid farewell to his father, Jorge Messi.
The Al-Nassr captain wrote his comment on Messi’s Instagram post, joining a large number of football stars and clubs who offered their condolences following Jorge’s passing at the age of 68.
Ronaldo said: “A big hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult time, Leo,” adding, “Stay strong.”
Ronaldo’s message comes despite the historic rivalry he shared with Messi for over a decade, whether during Real Madrid and Barcelona clashes or in the race for individual awards. However, their sporting rivalry never prevented the existence of mutual respect between them.
The Portuguese star had previously spoken about his relationship with Messi, saying: “We shared the stage for 15 years,” and clarified in other statements: “I have affection for him, because he always treated me well and respected me greatly as a competitor.”
Messi and Ronaldo do not share a close friendship off the pitch, according to their previous admissions, but they have described their connection as one of camaraderie and respect. This latest message of condolence serves as fresh evidence of the cordiality between two players who formed the greatest individual rivalry in modern football history.
