Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Elma Aveiro has posted a picture of Lionel Messi worshipping her brother following Juventus’ 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Ronaldo scored twice from the penalty spot in that encounter to help the Turin side to an emphatic victory that saw them overhaul Barcelona at the top of the standings and qualify in first place.
The Portuguese subsequently claimed that he has never seen the Argentine as a rival, but his sibling clearly does as she took to her social channels to praise her brother.
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo peaked when the pair were playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
They have dominated the world game for over a decade, with Ronaldo having claimed five Ballons d’Or in comparison to Messi’s six.
The Portuguese, however, has the edge in terms of Champions League titles won, having won five, including a quartet at the Santiago Bernabeu, compared to Messi’s four.
Ronaldo has also enjoyed greater success on the international stage, having famously led Portugal to the European Championship title in France back in 2016. Messi has not won a major crown with Argentina.
Tuesday’s match at Camp Nou was the first time that the pair had taken to the field together since Ronaldo left Spain in the summer of 2018.
Barca’s fortunes have plunged since that time, with Ronald Koeman’s side struggling in the middle part of the Liga table and suffering from financial difficulties.
While Ronaldo remains settled at Juventus, Messi’s future at Barcelona appears far less certain. The Argentine’s contract is up at the end of the season and the presidential election in January could be pivotal in terms of his next move.
Manchester City have been linked with the player as a potential reunion with Pep Guardiola is touted.
Neymar, however, has said that he wants to team up with Messi again next season, which has sparked speculation that the Barca star could make a free move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer months.
