CRISTIANO RONALDO even took on defensive duties to make sure he came out on top in his GOAT tussle with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo’s Juventus travelled to the Nou Camp in the Champions League on Tuesday night and the Portuguese superstar prevailed as the Old Lady won 3-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo nipped past Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi to pinch the ballCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ronaldo used his pace to end the danger and deny MessiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was Barca’s first home defeat in the European group stage since 2009 and on a torrid night for Messi, Ronaldo hit a double to overshadow the Argentine.
But it wasn’t just in the opposition box where the former Real Madrid man surged into action – he caught the eye late on by tracking back into his own penalty area to make a rare tackle and end a typically mazy Messi run.
Ronaldo raced back from a few metres behind Messi before using his pace to nip in and divert the ball away from danger.
The GOAT debate raged online between fans after the clip of Ronaldo backtracking circulated.
One said: “So, player is in the right place when the other misconrols a ball? Nothing to see here, both superb players and we are lucky to see them.”
Another added: “From what I watched Messi didn’t play bad, just couldn’t score, while Ronaldo scored two penalties, and didn’t see him do anything else. Both goats though.”
A third tweeted: “Just appreciate how good both these players are, because sooner rather than later, they’ll be gone.”
It was the first meeting between the game’s two most prominent stars since Ronaldo quit LaLiga in 2018.
Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on
Ronaldo made a rare tackle on the edge of the boxCredit: BT Sport
Ronaldo made the challenge with less than ten minutes to goCredit: BT Sport
He raced away with the ball before clearing the dangerCredit: BT Sport
Ronaldo’s brace of penalties helped secure top spot in Group G for Juventus with Barcelona coming second and both will be in the hat for the Last 16.
The 35-year-old former Manchester United winger was full of praise for his opponents after the game, labelling the Catalan giants as the ‘best team he ever faced’.
And he also put pay to any talks of an intense rivalry with Messi by revealing he has always ‘got along well’ with the 33-year-old.
Ronaldo said: “I have always had a very cordial relationship with him [Messi].
“I shared 12, 13 or 14 years of award ceremonies with him. I never saw him as a rival.
For the press, for the show, a rivalry is sought, but I have always gotten along well with him.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
“He always tries to do what is best for his team and me too. I always got along very well with him.
“But we know that in football, for the press, for the show, a rivalry is sought, but I have always gotten along well with him.”
Ronaldo’s first penalty was the first time he had ever scored against Messi in the Champions League.
His second shortly after the restart made sure of the result for Andrea Pirlo’s side after USA midfielder Weston McKennie had buried a bicycle kick.
Dominant Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 as Ronaldo betters Messi by scoring twice
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
