Barça News
Cristiano Ronaldo: “I never saw Messi as a rival…”
Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to the press following his team’s 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League group stages. The Portuguese forward scored 2 goals from the spot in his return to the Camp Nou, and it would be a surprise if he wouldn’t talk about the Messi – Ronaldo debate after such performance.
“I never saw Messi as a rival. He tries to do the best for his team, like me. We have always had a very good relationship. Football had sought a rivalry between us,” said Ronaldo with all humbleness.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
— Fútbol en Movistar+ (@MovistarFutbol) December 8, 2020
“Sabíamos que era una misión casi imposible”
“Necesitábamos una victoria así contra un gran equipo como el Barcelona” “Nunca vi a Messi como un rival. Hace lo mejor para su equipo, como yo. Siempre hemos tenido muy buena relación”. #LaCasadelFútbol pic.twitter.com/bEz9DQ4wQf
“The key is that we entered the game very well. We had to score three goals and we did it. We needed a good result against a great team like Barcelona. Regardless of their circumstances. They’re always Barcelona,” added the 35-year-old.
Cristiano also posted a tweet, stating that he is happy with a return to the Camp Nou, and that his team has nothing to fear if they continue like this:
Always great to return to Spain and to Catalunya, always hard to play in Camp Nou against one of the best teams I ever faced. Today we were a team of Champions! A true, strong and united family! Playing like this, we have nothing to fear until the end of the season… Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/PivPpJ3SLh
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 8, 2020
After this result, Juventus tops the group, and Barcelona will have to face much stronger rivals in the round of 16 with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich.
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Fabrizio Romano has broken huge news as part of Neymar’s contract situation with Paris Saint-Germain, which all but officially announces that the Brazilian will be staying in France, contrary to what has been reported recently. The report suggests that that he will sign his extension soon, which is bound to include a massive UCL bonus.
Neymar’s entourage have confirmed his decision to stay with the Paris outfit in conversation with France Football, saying, “Neymar wants to stay at PSG. He sees that the club is growing. He likes the project.”
Neymar is expected to sign soon his new contract with Paris Saint-Germain until June 2026, huge UCL bonus confirmed too. His entourage just announced to France Football: “Neymar wants to stay at PSG. He sees that the club is growing. He likes the project”. 🇧🇷 #PSG https://t.co/LMnrpctSkx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 12, 2021
PSG have, in fact, actually enjoyed success in Europe in the recent past. They reached the Champions League final last season, crumbling only to the unstoppable Bayern Munich by a mere one goal to nil. Since then, they have fired Thomas Tuchel, and hired Mauricio Pochettino, who inspired an incredible victory against Bayern in this season’s Champions League quarters. Spearheaded by Neymar and Mbappe, the capital-side hit the defending champions for three goals, conceding two.
Despite their lead in the UCL, they do not have a stronghold on the trophy with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, and Real Madrid still in the running. It becomes a lot more problematic when you realise their situation in Ligue 1.
PSG look far from comfortable in the league, which is a shocker to say the least. As it stands, Pochettino’s mean are in second place with 66 points, three adrift of Lille who top the table with one of the most impressive defensive records in Europe.
A season without either of the big trophies might force Neymar to have a change of mind, with the Barcelona project looking much more comprehensive under Joan Laporta. In fact, the new President might look at the Brazilian as the key that will allow Lionel Messi to stay at the club. We do the same rumours annually, so it is only fair if any of these ‘confirmations’ are turned on their head in the coming weeks.