Israel escalates military action in Gaza, violates ceasefire amid rising casualties    Egypt reviews plans for first national medical simulation centre    GAFI unveils updated framework for financial valuation, due diligence    Al-Sisi, Haftar discuss Libya stability, call for withdrawal of foreign forces    EgyptAnode ships first export batch since restart: Public Enterprises Ministry    Gold prices in Egypt rise on Monday, 08 Dec., 2025    EBRD, National Bank of Egypt sign $100m facility to support small businesses    Egyptian pound nudges higher in early Monday trade    GREEN DOCK 3 successfully transits Suez Canal in 24-hour operation    Egypt, Qatar press for full implementation of Gaza ceasefire    Egypt calls for inclusive Nile Basin dialogue, warns against 'hostile rhetoric'    Egypt, China's CMEC sign MoU to study waste-to-energy project in Qalyubia    Egypt joins Japan-backed UHC Knowledge Hub to advance national health reforms    Egypt launches 32nd International Quran Competition with participants from over 70 countries    Al-Sisi reviews expansion of Japanese school model in Egypt    Egypt declares Red Sea's Great Coral Reef a new marine protected area    Egypt recovers two ancient artefacts from Belgium    Egypt, Saudi nuclear authorities sign MoU to boost cooperation on nuclear safety    Giza master plan targets major hotel expansion to match Grand Egyptian Museum launch    Australia returns 17 rare ancient Egyptian artefacts    China invites Egypt to join African duty-free export scheme    Egypt calls for stronger Africa-Europe partnership at Luanda summit    Egypt begins 2nd round of parliamentary elections with 34.6m eligible voters    Egypt warns of erratic Ethiopian dam operations after sharp swings in Blue Nile flows    Egypt scraps parliamentary election results in 19 districts over violations    Egypt extends Ramses II Tokyo Exhibition as it draws 350k visitors to date    Filmmakers, experts to discuss teen mental health at Cairo festival panel    Cairo International Film Festival to premiere 'Malaga Alley,' honour Khaled El Nabawy    Egypt golf team reclaims Arab standing with silver; Omar Hisham Talaat congratulates team    Egypt launches Red Sea Open to boost tourism, international profile    Omar Hisham Talaat: Media partnership with 'On Sports' key to promoting Egyptian golf tourism    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Barcelona's Messi denies rivalry with Real Madrid's Ronaldo
Lionel Messi believes the World Cup and UEFA Champions League are the biggest tests, confirms Manchester United's Rooney has exceptional quality
Mahmoud Elassal Published in Ahram Online on 11 - 06 - 2015

Ahead of the Copa America, Barcelona's Argentinean star Lionel Messi has rubbished reports that he is in a rivalry with Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, confirming media reports invented this saga between him and the Portuguese star.
Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the world player of the year awards since 2008, and are widely considered to be the world's best two players. Messi says this has caused the Spanish media claims that there is bad feeling between them.
The two stars have also repeatedly broken each other's goal-scoring records in the Spain La Liga as well as in the UEFA Champions League.
"There is no rivalry. It's something the media invented. We both want to do well for our clubs, it is not Messi vs Ronaldo, it never has been," Messi said during an interview with Shortlist ahead of Saturday's game against Paraguay in the Copa America.
The Argentine star also praised Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney believing he is the British player would thrive in La Liga right now.
"As I mentioned, Rooney has exceptional quality. Not just great technical ability, but also works very hard for his team. I'm sure Manchester United will never want to let him leave, though," Messi said
The 27-year-old attacker hints at the importance of Spain's Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Argentina vs. Brazil games as well as their effect on the soccer fans in the world.
"They (Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, Argentina vs. Brazil) are two of the biggest games in the world," Messi said.
"It isn't just what it means to the players, but you can sense in the stadium; what it means to the fans."
The 2010, 2011 and 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, Messi revealed also that he eager to lift the World Cup as most of his teammates at Barcelona have done so already.
"Lifting the World Cup trophy is the ultimate goal in football, and it is still a dream I have."
"So many of my teammates at Barcelona have won it, and it is a dream to one day know what that feeling is like."
Messi also praised Barcelona's great Brazilian star Ronaldinho, confirming he learned from his skills and tricks.
"When I walked into the Barca dressing room as a 16-year-old, he was the best player in the world," Messi said.
"He helped me settle; he is a great player but also a great guy. The way he played, Barcelona fans fell in love with him right away."
Argentina are scheduled to start their Copa America games on 11 June when they face Paraguay.
(For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/132514.aspx

Clic here to read the story from its source.