Lionel Messi says Cristiano Ronaldo has ‘adapted’ well since rejoining Manchester United in the summer and believes his rivalry with the player will go down as a ‘beautiful memory’ in history.
Ronaldo has scored nine goals for United this campaign but his outstanding form in front of goal could not save Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from the sack, with the club losing six of their last 13 games in all competitions.
The Portugal international has since passed on his best wishes to Solskjaer and his former team-mate, Michael Carrick, has been placed in temporary charge ahead of their trip to Villarreal.
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All seven of United’s Champions League points so far have come thanks to late Ronaldo goals and the competition’s all-time top goalscorer – will no doubt be desperate to add to his tally this today to help lead his team out of their malaise.
Messi has been impressed by the straight impact Ronaldo has made this campaign, with the Argentinian only scoring his first league goal on Saturday.
Asked what he has made of Ronaldo’s start, Messi told Marca: ‘United is a very strong team with great players. Cristiano already knew the club, but it’s in another stage and now he has adapted in an impressive way,’ Messi told Marca.
‘From the beginning he has scored goals as always and had no problems adapting.
‘In the Premier League it is not as good as we all thought, but it is a very difficult and even competition in which things take a lot of turns. ‘After December it changes a lot and anything can happen.’
When pessed on whether he misses his direct duels with Ronaldo, Messi said: ‘It’s been a long time since we stopped competing in the same league. ‘We competed individually and as a team for the same goals.
‘It was a very beautiful stage for us and also for the people because they enjoyed it very much. ‘It is a beautiful memory that will remain in the history of football.’
Messi has been blown away by the huge level of competition in the Champions League this year and name-checked five clubs when asked to name the top candidates for the title alongside PSG.
‘Liverpool are doing very well, they have returned to being the Liverpool that won the Champions League,’ the ex-Barcelona star said.
‘Then there are Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid… there are many teams that can fight for this Champions League. It’s one of the most even and competitive years in recent times because there are several teams that can choose to win it.’
