The Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry may not be over just yet
When Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Juventus after leaving Real Madrid it appeared for all in the world that Messi vs Ronaldo, the greatest individual rivalry football has ever seen, was over.
The two had played in the same league together, for bitter rivals no less, for nine years, bringing the best out in each other in the process.
During their time playing against each other in La Liga, no player other than the two of them has won the Ballon d’Or, and Ronaldo’s departure to Serie A prompted disappointment that an era had ended.
Well, dry your eyes, because reports in Italy suggest that Inter Milan are attempting to bring that rivalry to Italy by signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona.
🇮🇹 📰 | Front page of Tuttosport:
CR7 to Juve sparks up Pirelli's CEO, Tronchetti to make an attempt:
"Ronaldo is good for Italian football.
Messi [to] Inter? May be."HiguaÃn or Morata for Milan. pic.twitter.com/cxhRiX2FOu
— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) July 24, 2018
The rumours were reportedly prompted after statements made by the CEO of Pirelli, Inter Milan’s shirt sponsor.
“Messi? How can you say ‘no’ to Messi? If there were the conditions for a deal, the Inter Milan fans would be enthusiastic,” said Marco Tronchetti Provera.
While the rumours may sound fanciful and might well lead to nothing, the financial clout of Inter Milan’s owners, the Suning Group, could well make the deal – and a substantial pay rise for Messi – a possibility.
Suning are one of the largest retailers in China, and are also owners of Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning.
If they make this deal go through and reunite Messi with Ronaldo, they’ll also be the largest retailers in our hearts.
