Lionel Messi: Footage Surfaces Online of PSG Star Receiving Rapturous Welcome in Cristiano Ronaldo’s Hometown

• A section of Paris Saint-Germain fans thronged the team's hotel in Lisbon to catch glimpse of Lionel Messi
• Messi was in Lisbon ahead of his side's clash against Benfica in the Champions League at the Estadio da Luz
• Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, where Cristiano Ronaldo played for Sporting Lisbon before moving to Manchester United

Lionel Messi was given a befitting welcome in Lisbon ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League tie against Benfica.

Fans thronged the hotel where Messi was staying and chanted Messi's name. Even more peculiarly, Lisbon is the capital city of Messi's arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo's country.

Ronaldo is a cult figure in Portugal for all the tremendous successes he has achieved in football. He has been involved in a great rivalry with Messi for ages, with fans always sharply divided on who is better.

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The Manchester United star was born in Madeira but moved to Lisbon when he was around 12 years old. At Lisbon, he set the ball rolling for what would turn out to be one of the most defining careers in the history of world football.

Portugal won the Euro 2016, with Argentina winning the Copa America in 2021. Messi and Ronaldo will once again battle it out for the World Cup in Qatar.

PSG were held to a one-all stalemate by Benfica. They meet next week in Paris and a win could guarantee them a place in the round of 16.

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The Argentine has been in scintillating form this season for PSG, scoring seven goals and getting eight assists in his first 12 games of the campaign.

He is proving to be an asset for Christophe Galtier’s side, a fact that manifested itself once again in PSG’s latest Ligue 1 game. In the 12th minute, PSG were given a free kick from 30 yards out, but Messi’s effort sailed wide of the post.