Cristiano Ronaldo tells Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona: 'I hope he accepts the challenge' - 7M sport

Cristiano Ronaldo tells Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona: 'I hope he accepts the challenge'

CRISTIANO RONALDO has sensationally called out Lionel Messi, urging the Barcelona sensation to quit Spain and join him in Italy.


Posted Tuesday, December 11, 2018 by Express.co.uk

Cristiano Ronaldo tells Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona: 'I hope he accepts the challenge'
Cristiano Ronaldo has called on Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona for Italy

Ronaldo and Messi were the two star names of Serie A for a decade before the former quit Real Madrid for Juventus in the summer.

Messi has continued to thrive at Barcelona, who look good for the La Liga title this season.

And Ronaldo has flourished in his new surroundings of Turin, with 10 goals from 15 Serie A games so far.

The former Manchester United superstar quit Real after nine years at the club in a £105m transfer.

And he has called on Messi to one-day join him in Italy.

On the Argentina international, Cristiano Ronaldo said: “Messi? Maybe it’s him who misses me.

"I’ve played in England, Spain, Italy, Portugal and for my national team, while he’s still in Spain.

"Maybe he needs me more? For me, life is a challenge, I like it and I like to make people happy.

Cristiano Ronaldo tells Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona: 'I hope he accepts the challenge'
Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to the Italian media about Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo tells Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona: 'I hope he accepts the challenge'
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus from Real Madrid in the summer

Cristiano Ronaldo tells Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona: 'I hope he accepts the challenge'
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shared a rivalry while both men played in Spain

"I’d like him to come to Italy one day. I hope he accepts the challenge like me, but if he’s happy there then I respect that.

"He’s a fantastic player and a good guy, but I don’t miss anything here. This is my new life and I’m happy.”

Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shared the last 10 Ballon d’Or awards before Luka Modric scooped the gong this year.

The break-out of La Liga’s biggest head-to-head rivalry sparked a turn of attention to Italy this season, with Modric also linked with a move to Inter.

Cristiano Ronaldo tells Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona: 'I hope he accepts the challenge'
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus with the intent on winning the Champions League

Messi was loosely mooted as being interested in a Serie A switch in the Italian press, although those rumours swiftly died down.

It is not known what Messi’s future holds but the Argentine has always insisted he wants to see out his playing days at Newell’s Old Boys - his boyhood club.

Messi signed a new contract at Barca last year, making him one of the world’s highest-paid players.

Indeed, it was claimed part of Ronaldo’s decision to leave Real for Juve was the Spanish side were refusing to offer him pay parity with Messi.

Ronaldo signed a £106m, four-year contract with Juve and looks set to steer his new side to an eighth successive Serie A title.

The focus remains, however, on a Champions League triumph and Ronaldo is confident his team-mates can get the job done.

"I can say this is the best group I’ve been a part of,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Here we’re a team. Some players feels bigger than others at other clubs, whereas here everyone’s rowing on the same boat. We’re all humble and we want to win.

"If Dybala or Mandzukic don’t score, you still see them happy and smiling. For me it’s beautiful, I can sense the difference.”



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