Lionel Messi praised Cristiano Ronaldoback at Manchester United is “impressive.”
United bid farewell to coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday after the team’s fifth loss in seven Premier League games but Ronaldo remains United’s talisman.
Ronaldo, 36, has scored six goals in his first eight appearances in all competitions after rejoining United following his departure Juventus.
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Messi who just celebrates scored his first goal of the tournament with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday after being unable to find the back of the net in his previous five Ligue 1 appearances, tell Marca: “Cristiano got to know the club but it was at a different stage and now he has adapted impressively. Right from the start he scored as usual and had no problems in getting there. adapt.”
Ronaldo, who, along with Messi, was on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or and nominated for FIFA Men’s Player of the Season 2020-21, spent six years at United from 2003 to 2009 the first time he was there.
Then he moved to Real Madrid where he enjoyed a successful nine-year spell that included a major rivalry with Messi.
“Time has passed since we competed in the same tournament,” Argentina captain talking about Ronaldo.
“We competed not only on an individual level but also at a team level because of the same goals. It was a very beautiful period for us and everyone because they enjoyed it so much. It was a record. A beautiful concept that will remain forever in the history of football.”
4-1 loss on Sunday in Watford It was United’s fifth defeat in their last seven Premier League games and leaves them eighth in the table, 12 points behind leaders. Chelsea.
“United is a very strong team with great players,” Messi said. “The Premier League is a very difficult league and a leveled league and things can turn around many times over. After December a lot of changes and anything can happen.”
Messi, meanwhile, said he has “fully adapted” to PSG and shares a dressing room with the former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
Ramos joined PSG as a free agent a few weeks before PSG announced the arrival of Messi from Barcelona.
The veteran defender is yet to make his debut with PSG as he struggles with injury.
“Not now, but at first it was strange after so many years of rivalry, being the captains of Barca and Madrid, after so many Clasicos Messi said.
“But that’s all there is to it, and we’ve always respected each other a lot despite being great rivals in the past. Clasicos. Having him as a teammate today was a show. Little by little he will join us and hopefully he will play as quickly as possible because he will be an important player to fight for our goals. “
Another player who is and will be a key player of PSG is Kylian Mbappe.
NS France front revealed he wanted to leave PSG this past summer for Real Madrid. PSG refused to sell the player, who will become a free agent in June.
“I can only say that I am very happy that he decided to stay here this year,” Messi said. “He is a very important player for us and fights for the goals that we have. His head is 100% focused on our goals. Once the season is over, he will be there. decide what to do. I really don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Messi and PSG will be in action on Wednesday when they play City of Manchester in the Champions League at Etihad Stadium.
