@FootynewsPicking him as the idol was the right call, and here's the proof people keep ignoring. Whenever the "Cristiano is jealous and arrogant" line comes back around, this is what actually happened: when Messi's father passed away, Cristiano reached out to him. And after Messi retired from Argentina, Cristiano reached out again. Over 20 years at the top of football, the two of them. On the pitch, the finest rivalry the sport has produced. Off it, genuine respect shown back and forth. Those gestures tell you everything. Whatever the rivalry was, respect came first. HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE.

@FootynewsPicking him as the idol was the right call, and here's the proof people keep ignoring. Whenever the "Cristiano is jealous and arrogant" line comes back around, this is what actually happened: when Messi's father passed away, Cristiano reached out to him. And after Messi retired from Argentina, Cristiano reached out again. Over 20 years at the top of football, the two of them. On the pitch, the finest rivalry the sport has produced. Off it, genuine respect shown back and forth. Those gestures tell you everything. Whatever the rivalry was, respect came first. HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE.