Cristiano Ronaldo is thriving in Serie A since swapping Real Madrid for Juventus. AFP
Cristiano Ronaldo is thriving in Serie A since swapping Real Madrid for Juventus. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo issues Serie A challenge to nemesis Lionel Messi



Cristiano Ronaldo has urged his long-time rival Lionel Messi to "accept the challenge" of leaving Barcelona and joining the Juventus star in Serie A.

Ronaldo believes his desire to move around the big leagues - with spells in the Premier League and La Liga - sets him apart from the Argentine, who has spent his whole senior career with Barcelona.

In an interview published by Gazzetta dello Sport, Ronaldo said: "I played in England, Spain, Italy ... while he is still in Spain.

"For me, life is a challenge. I like it and I like to make people happy. I would like him to come to Italy one day and, like me, accept the challenge."

Ronaldo's relationship with Messi has sometimes appeared strange as the pair turned the annual Ballon d'Or into a personal head-to-head, sharing out every title since 2008 until the pair were pipped by Luka Modric last week.

But the 33-year-old Ronaldo insisted he has every respect for Messi, who is showing every sign of finishing his career with Barcelona, whom he joined as a junior from Argentina in 2001.

Ronaldo added: "If he is happy there, I respect him. He is a fantastic player and a good guy, but I do not miss anything here. This is my new life and I am happy."

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Read more:

Andy Mitten: Lionel Messi proves he is the greatest player ever, no matter what Pele says

Copa Libertadores final: Messi and other top stars turn out in Madrid for River Plate v Boca Juniors

Cristiano Ronaldo draws rare blank but Juventus still too strong for 'naive' Inter Milan

When will Mohamed Salah or another Premier League player win the Ballon d'Or?

In pictures: Cristiano Ronaldo hits 100 Champions League wins as Juventus soar into last 16

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Inspired by Ronaldo, Juventus currently sit eight points clear in Serie A and have coasted through the Uefa Champions League group stages with an identical record to his former club Real, whom there is every chance of him meeting in the tournament's final stages in February.

But Ronaldo, who said the team spirit is better among his current teammates than he experienced at the Bernabeu, said he is ambivalent about such a possibility.

"The past has passed and now I want to win for Juventus," he said.

"I have to defend these colours and nothing else counts - if I played against Real Madrid, I would give my best.

"I can say this is the best group I've ever played with. In other teams some players feel bigger than others, but here they are all on the same level, they are humble and want to win.

"For me it is beautiful and I can feel the difference. Even in Madrid they are humble but here, even more so. It is very different to Madrid - it is more like a family here."

Juventus are next in action on Wednesday when they conclude their Group H Champions League commitments away to Young Boys.

ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope 
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold 
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph 
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck

Match info

Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace

Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)

MATCH INFO

Tottenham Hotspur 1
Kane (50')

Newcastle United 0

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

AGL AWARDS

Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)

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The biog

Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb

Age: 57

From: Kalba

Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge

Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champioons League semi-final, first leg:

Liverpool 5
Salah (35', 45 1'), Mane (56'), Firmino (61', 68')

Roma 2
Dzeko (81'), Perotti (85' pen)

Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh

3.5/5

Scoreline

Arsenal 3
Aubameyang (28'), Welbeck (38', 81')
Red cards: El Neny (90' 3)

Southampton 2
Long (17'), Austin (73')
Red cards: Stephens (90' 2)

Defending champions

World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack

You Were Never Really Here

Director: Lynne Ramsay

Starring: Joaquim Phoenix, Ekaterina Samsonov

Four stars

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Zidane's managerial achievements

La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017

RESULTS

Main card

Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision

Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision

Lightweight 60kg:  Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3

Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision

Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision

Light heavyweight 81.4kg:  Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg

Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports

The biog

Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi

Favourite TV show: That 70s Show

Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving

Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can

Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home

Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big