By Habeeb Kuranga
Brazilian football icon, Ronaldo Nazario, has felicitated Lionel Messi for winning the FIFA world cup.
“El Fenomeno” jettisoned the eternal rivalry between Brazil and Argentina and claim he is happy Argentina won the Mundial with Messi finally lifting the only trophy missing in his cabinet.
Ronaldo, owner and president of LaLiga based club, Real Valladolid, said his admiration for Lionel Messi saw him set aside the rivalry between his nation and Argentina, after the latter won the Mundial. Ronaldo had earlier revealed before the final that he was going to be rooting for the Albiceleste to win the world cup.
He said: “I cannot answer for the whole of Brazil. I can only answer for me. And I am not that sure! Yeah, of course, I will be happy for him (Messi).
“But, you know, we have a great rivalry between Brazil and Argentina. But I will not be that much of a hypocrite to say I will be happy for Argentina because it’s not true. But, of course, I see football as a romantic. Of course, I will accept (an Argentine triumph) and I will enjoy any champion.”
After Argentina defeated France and subsequently won the holy grail, Ronaldo wrote on his official Instagram account alongside a photo of Messi lifting the trophy: “This guy’s football throws any rivalry to the corner – even the historic one between Brazil and Argentina. I saw a lot of Brazilians – and people from all over the world – rooting for Messi in this electrifying final.
“A farewell worthy of the genius who, far beyond being a World Cup star, captained an era. I imagine my friend Diego’s party in heaven. Here, we are millions of all nationalities giving you a standing ovation. Congratulations Messi!”
After the world cup win for Argentina, football experts and fans have aired the view that the greatest of all time debate in football is finally over, as Lionel Messi lifts the only trophy that has been eluding him from achieving the G.O.A.T. status.
