Lionel Messi Has Discussed Cristiano Ronaldo's Start To Life Back At Manchester United

Lionel Messi has discussed what he thinks of Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United, with the forward under pressure following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.

Messi and Ronaldo both made big moves in the summer, with the former finally leaving Barcelona for PSG and the latter returning to Old Trafford after 12 years away.

Both have had mixed starts to their new lives, with Messi finally ending his goal drought in Ligue 1 at the weekend, and had to deal with the kind of criticism they aren't used to.

Messi though doesn't think that his rival deserves any criticism, instead saying the United forward has adapted in an 'impressive way.'

"United is a very strong team with great players," the six time Ballon d'Or winner told Marca, presumably without having watched any Premier League football for the past month.

"Cristiano already knew the club, but it’s in another stage and now he has adapted in an impressive way.

"From the beginning he has scored goals as always and had no problems adapting. 

"In the Premier League it is not as good as we all thought, but it is a very difficult and even competition in which things take a lot of turns. 

"After December it changes a lot and anything can happen."

Ronaldo has impressed Messi. Image: PA Images

Despite Messi's words, things haven't all been going well for Ronaldo since his return to Manchester in the summer, which was nearly to the other side of the city.

He has scored important goals, especially in the Champions League, but in the league things haven't all been going perfectly.

So much so that Paul Merson laid the blame for things going wrong for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the signing of the 36-year-old forward this summer.

Messi and Ronaldo also came up against each other during the latter's Juve days. Image: PA Images

For years Ronaldo and Messi went head-to-head as their rivalry was played out in a number of El Clasico matches, which stopped when Real Madrid's all time top scorer moved to Juventus in 2018.

Asked whether he misses their rivalry, Messi added, "It’s been a long time since we stopped competing in the same league. 

"We competed individually and as a team for the same goals. 

"It was a very beautiful stage for us and also for the people because they enjoyed it very much. 

"It is a beautiful memory that will remain in the history of football."

Topics: Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Premier League, Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28