LIONEL MESSI shows off his abs in a gym selfie with wife Antonela – but Cristiano Ronaldo upstaged him just hours later.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is in prime shape well ahead of the MLS season starting in February when Luis Suarez will join him at Inter Miami.
However, his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo posted a training snap of his own ripped bodies a day later.
The veteran forward shared a picture of his bulging leg muscles to Instagram during a topless gym workout.
Ronaldo gave a steely look to the camera as he flexed, captioning the post with a peace sign and weight lifting emoji.
Former Liverpool striker Suarez has joined ex-Barca pals Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at David Beckham’s club in the USA.
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And Messi, 36, looked proud to show he’s still in the physical condition that help Argentina lift the 2022 World Cup glory and earned him his latest global player-of-the-year gong two months ago.
Unicef ambassador Antonela wore a sporty crop top for a gym selfie of the toned couple that she posted on Instagram.
Book looked in peak form but, whereas she smiled wildly, Messi had the focused expression more worthy of a player about to take a key penalty.
That of course was just what he did – twice – in a momentous World Cup final triumph over France in Qatar 12 months ago.
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He notched a spot-kick during his double in a 3-3 draw after extra time.
He then tucked home the opener in Argentina’s 4-2 shoutout success.
The ex-PSG star is not due to be in action again on a pitch until a friendly with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Hilal in February.
Japanese side Vissel Kobe and Messi’s first club Newell’s Old Boys will also take centre stage in Miami’s warm-up games.
Messi’s MLS season under fellow Argentinian Gerardo Martino opens at home to Western Conference team Real Salt Lake on February 21.
And Suarez is expected to line up alongside him – going back to the future as two-thirds of the dream Barcelona attack they formed with Neymar.
The Uruguay legend switched to Miami this month despite being named the Brazil top-flight’s player of the season.
Suarez, 36, decided his knee wasn’t up to playing the second year of his contract with Gremio.
But he’s hungry to play once more with Messi as he said: “I look forward to reuniting with great friends and players.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk