“They're not talking to each other” - Lothar Matthaus highlights difference between rivalry with Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate

German legend Lothar Matthäus has claimed that the key difference between his rivalry with Diego Maradona and that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is communication. He claims that the current duo do not talk ot each other, while he was partying with his rivals after matches.

Speaking to The Times of India, Matthaus said that his rivalry with Maradona on the pitch made them better players. He believes that Messi and Ronaldo should have spent more time together off the pitch and said:

"Diego was the best footballer in my time. We were like Messi and Ronaldo. (But) they are not talking to each other. They don't make parties together after the game. But Diego and me; we had many private moments and we made parties after the game too." "During the game, we had fights. We didn't know each other like friends. I think we profited from each other. And in the end, Diego made me bigger and I made him bigger."

Lothar Matthaus named Diego Maradona as his toughest opponent. They faced off nine times on the pitch, with the German legend winning four and losing three.

Ronaldo spoke about his rivalry with Messi at the 2019 UEFA Champions League draw, admitting that he would like to have dinner with the Argentine and said (via GOAL):

"We shared the stage for 15 years, me and him. I don't know that it's ever happened in football, the same two guys, the same stage, all the time. It's not easy. We have a good relationship. We've not had dinner together yet, but I hope [we will] in the future." "Of course I miss playing in Spain – we've had that battle the last 15 years, which is good. It pushed me and I pushed him as well. It's good to be part of the history of football. I'm there and of course, he's there as well."

Cristiano Ronaldo has faced Lionel Messi 36 times in his career, winning 11 and losing 16.

Lionel Messi admits he is not friends with Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi spoke to DSports earlier this year, admitting that he has a lot of respect for Cristiano Ronaldo, but that they were not friends. He heaped praise on the Portuguese superstar and said:

"I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and for the career he's had and continues to have, because he's still competing at the highest level. We're not friends obviously because we don't spend time together, but we've always treated each other with a lot of respect."

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo last faced off in December 2020, when Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League.

Edited by Sripad