‘Not that type of guy’ – Pique claims Messi never ‘cared’ about Ronaldo during his Barcelona tenure

For several years, Barcelona vs Real Madrid was considered the pinnacle of football, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo the flagbearers of the respective institution.

The duo brought out the best in one another and for more than a decade shared the podium at every award function, contested for the same trophies, and tried to go well and beyond what football has ever seen.

“It was a great battle, from a sporting point of view. We fed off each other’s rivalry because we’re both great competitors. He, too, always wanted to win everything, all the time. It was a very enjoyable time for both of us and for everyone who loves football,” Messi had said about the rivalry after winning his 8th Ballon d’Or, as quoted by GOAL.

Ronaldo was especially obsessed with this rivalry and is often seen sneaking in the occasional diss on social media with his comments after award ceremonies.

Messi, on the other hand, has never reverted, and as it turns out, barely used to think about his rival. Or so Gerard Pique claims.

“Focused on the team”

Speaking to talkSPORT during an interview, former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and long-time teammate of Messi was asked whether he paid attention to Ronaldo and his plaudits.

“Did Messi care about Cristiano Ronaldo? No, he was not that type of guy,” Pique replied.

“He was focused on the team. Even when he was on always on the front page radio, TV, he was only focused on winning trophies for the team,” the legendary centre-back added.

“At the end of the day, because he was the best then, he was winning the Ballon d’Or. But it was not on his priority.”

Cristiano, on the contrary..

Having played with Ronaldo and holding a respectable relationship with him, Pique also spoke about the Portuguese forward and how he changed a lot to be able to compete with Messi at the highest level.

“He started as a winger at Manchester United, he was very skillful then when he moved to Madrid, he started to become a goalscorer, like a pure 9.”

Pique also said, “At United when I played with him, he loved to do trick and was very skillful. But I assumed that he realised that at Real Madrid, if you want to be the best, you have to score a lot of goals.”