When Cristiano Ronaldo Offered Cryptic Reply to an Awkward Lionel Messi Moment

• Lionel Messi’s controversial penalty pass in 2016 caused Cristiano Ronaldo to react
• The Portuguese and Argentine stars are considered the greatest recent football rivals
• Messi and Ronaldo have won a combined 12 Ballon d’Or awards between them

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are regarded as two of the greatest-ever footballers, but both superstars have always been seen as rivals on the football pitch.

In the 2015/2016 season, when they played for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, Ronaldo was forced to give a mysterious reply when asked about Messi passing the ball to Luis Suarez from the penalty spot.

According to Sportskeeda, Ronaldo and Suarez were competing for the top scorer’s award in Spain when the controversial incident happened during Barcelona’s 6-1 thrashing of Celta Vigo.

"I know why Leo [Messi] has done it. But I’m not telling you. Think what you want."

Video: Cristiano Ronaldo scores golazo with weaker foot as Al Nassr thump Al Raed

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The Uruguayan star concluded the season as La Liga's top scorer, winning the Pichichi award with 40 goals for Barcelona, while the Portuguese star finished second with 35 goals for Real Madrid.

From Ronaldo's comment, it seemed he believed Messi had helped Suarez claim the award.

Vidal blasts Erik ten Hag for axing Ronaldo

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has been criticised by Arturo Vidal, who thinks the Manchester United manager made a mess by deciding to axe Ronaldo from the Premier League club, Metro UK reports.

The Red Devils terminated the 38-year-old forward's contract in November 2022 after he lambasted the club's leadership and their administration in a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo scored 24 goals in his first season back at Old Trafford and Vidal has claimed ten Hag made a 'colossal error' by forcing the Portuguese international out of the Premier League club.

Ronaldo names quality he wants from Messi

Video: Moment Cristiano Ronaldo knocked out camera man with powerful freekick

Football

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Portuguese superstar, Ronaldo once acknowledging Messi's left foot while discussing the Argentine icon's attributes.

The pair engaged in a Q&A session during the 2015 Ballon d'Or award ceremony, including an interesting query focused on the qualities of the veterans.

While Messi's answer served to emphasise the Real Madrid legend's numerous aspirational qualities, Ronaldo went on to provide a more precise response.