Messi's era
The former Barcelona star believes the Portugal attacker is frustrated to play at the same time as
the Argentine and is backing Neymar to become the world’s best player in future Cristiano Ronaldo is enraged to be living in the same era as Lionel Messi, according to former Barcelona star Ronaldinho.
The attacking duo are once again amongst the favourites for the Ballon d’Or thanks to their exceptional form in the past year, and both scooped
awards at the annual LFP gala on Monday as La Liga’s finest players of 2012-13 were honoured.
However, Messi – who picked up the LFP player of the year prize for the fifth successive season – has
beaten Ronaldo to the last four Ballons d’Or awards, and his former team-mate Ronaldinho believes this
is a genuine frustration for the Real Madrid sensation.
“Cristiano Ronaldo’s rage is to live in the same era as Messi,” he told TV program Bem, Amigos !
Ronaldinho went on to affirm that compatriot Neymar would become the world’s best player in
future, suggesting Messi will help him develop in much the same way he aided the Argentine.
“Deco, Sylvinho and I always gave passes to Leo so he could adapt as soon as possible. He will do the same for Neymar,” he continued.
“He has it all and he will become the best player in the world in the coming years, but only when Messi
is not at his peak.”
Ronaldinho is currently preparing for the Club World Cup with Copa Libertadores champions Atletico
Mineiro, and the Brazil international believes his side could have the advantage over Champions League holders and favourites Bayern Munich.
“We arrive on equal terms, in order to reach the final. We won’t change anything. It’s the way we
play,” he said.
“Players in Europe don’t follow Brazilian football and that can be an advantage for us.”
Ronaldinho did, however, point to the meticulous preparations of Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, claiming the Spaniard’s knowledge of the Brazilian game will be important to his side’s chances.
“The Bayern coach knows a lot about football in Brazil. He brought several players from here and he will bring videos and information in abundance,” he added.
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Posted By Kevin Jasper (@KevinJasper3)