Lionel Messi and Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal had his say on the never-ending GOAT debate – here’s everything you should know
Tennis icon Rafael Nadal recently weighed in on the never-ending debate about who holds the title of the greatest footballer of all time between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In a video that resurfaced on Twitter, shared by AlbicelesteTalk, Nadal, who is currently on holiday in Greece, was asked by fans to reveal his opinion on the matter.
While the 22-time Grand Slam winner admitted that he has a personal preference, he refrained from making a definitive statement, mentioning that his loyalty to a particular player or team restrains him from openly declaring his choice. “Messi is better but I’m a Madrid fan”, Nadal said.
Earlier this week, Messi had his first appearance for Inter Miami, impressively securing victory with a last-minute match-winning free-kick, a moment that has captured significant media attention.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s departure from Europe took place in January when he joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia following the termination of his contract with Manchester United.
The Guardian reported that he recently expressed his final thoughts on his time in Europe. Notably, Messi had an opportunity to reignite his rivalry with Ronaldo in the Middle East, playing in the same league they both dominated for nine years in La Liga. However, he declined the offer and instead chose to pursue his career in the USA with Inter Miami.
Reactions have poured in from fans on social media ever since the video has gone viral. Let us take a look at some of those reactions.
Nadal and Messi’$ friendship reportedly began around 2005 when both the sporting legends were rising stars in their disciplines. They met at an event or through mutual acquaintances, and their bond has grown over the years due to their shared passion for sports, dedication to their craft, and mutual respect for each other’s achievements.
Despite their busy schedules and international commitments, they have been seen supporting each other’s matches when possible. Messi has been spotted attending some of Nadal’s tennis matches, while Nadal has also shown his support for Messi’s soccer games. This camaraderie between the two sports icons has captured the attention of fans worldwide and has made them an inspiring example of sportsmanship and friendship.
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