Cristiano Ronaldo left red-faced by ex-Real Madrid team-mate's Lionel Messi claim
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Cristiano Ronaldo will be unhappy to hear that his former Real Madrid ally, James Rodriguez, has sensationally opted for Lionel Messi when asked to pick a dream team-mate. Ronaldo and Rodriguez's careers overlapped when the pair played three seasons together at Los Blancos from 2014-2017. During their time at the Santiago Bernabeu, the pair won the La Liga title, two Champions Leagues and the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup on two occasions.
However, despite their success, it appears the 33-year-old would have preferred to line up alongside Ronaldo's great rival, Messi. During a quickfire question and answer session on TikTok, Rodriguez revealed some fascinating insights into his views on the game but did not hesitate to anoint the World Cup-winning icon as his ideal colleague on the pitch.
The Colombia international was liberal with his answers, disclosing that he believed Madrid's Vinicius Jnr is the current best player in the world while adding Andreas Iniesta was the player he would've liked to be. Yet he was undeniably 'team Messi' when asked which player he would like to have in his team, despite his close affiliation with Ronaldo.
The development will have no doubt left the Al-Nassr forward feeling red-faced due to his historic rivalry with the Inter Miami star. However, Rodriguez is not the only former team-mate of Ronaldo to side with the Argentinian, with Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney also electing to choose Messi when asked about the great debate.
"I think Messi, I think he’s just the best ever," Rooney said in May 2024. "I get a lot of stick for saying Messi where it’s as if, ‘How can you say Messi, it’s Ronaldo.’ They are both incredible, probably the best two players to ever play the game. For me, Messi has just got that little bit more extra flair, which I like in a player, so that’s the reason.".
