“It is the opposite of Cristiano” – When Argentine legend claimed Lionel Messi was more selfish than Cristiano Ronaldo

Argentine legend Mario Kempes once claimed that Lionel Messi was more selfish than his archrival, Cristiano Ronaldo. The duo has been pitted against each other for the last two decades while they remained at the top of their game.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s rivalry reached its zenith between 2009 and 2018, when the Argentine was at Barcelona and the Portuguese at Real Madrid. Their presence in archrival clubs further instigated the competition, with the two icons facing each other at least twice each season. Clasicos saw a meteoric rise in popularity while pundits and fans became divided over who is the better footballer.

In a 2019 interview (h/t Republic World), Argentine legend Mario Kempes shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi, claiming he is more selfish than Cristiano Ronaldo. Kempes’ words came in the context of how many consider Ronaldo to be more selfish and Messi more of a team player.

The 1978 World Cup winner added:

Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are at the twilight of their careers, having left European football around two years ago. The Argentine legend is currently focusing on the FIFA Club World Cup, where he’s leading Inter Miami. Meanwhile, Ronaldo is on a high after leading Portugal to their second UEFA Nations League trophy this month.

In an interview with the official Ballon d’Or account, Lionel Messi reflected on his iconic rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo. He said (via GOAL):

He added:

With Messi at Inter Miami and Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, it is unlikely for the two legends of the game to face each other once again. However, fans will always look back fondly to their peak years of rivalry and playing together.

Pratyasha Sarkar

Pratyasha is a Pop Culture and a European Football writer for Sportskeeda. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and has over 3 years of experience in the pop culture industry. Throughout her career, Pratyasha has always emphasized detailed background checks, and believes in verifying all information regardless of how correct it may seem.

Pratyasha is an ardent admirer of Lionel Messi and has followed his journey since she was a kid; he inspires her with his dedication and humility. She has grown up watching, living, and breathing Satyajit Ray’s cinema, which she believes is timeless. She loves Taylor Swift’s music and thinks she’s a lyrical genius, and also admires Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone.

When Pratyasha’s off the clock, she enjoys reading books and listening to music. During the football season, she is usually busy watching football matches late at night when Barcelona are playing.

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