A Honduran referee, Said Martinez who has officiated both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during his career, spoke about the key differences between the two superstars. The duo ruled the football pitch for nearly two decades. Both have already left European club football. Ronaldo is now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr while Messi is representing Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Inter Miami. The pair have battled for the Ballon d’Or for many years and their rivalry has already been etched in the football history.
As per his on-field experience, Martinez recognised Ronaldo as a “very competitive person” who “complains a lot.” According to him, the former Real Madrid footballer is very difficult to keep under control. “We disallowed two goals for him, with VAR and everything, but there was a play that upset him because he felt he was fouled in attack, leading to a goal against them. They were losing,” Martinez recalled during an interaction with Mexican outlet Mediotiempo, as per Givemesport (As translated by MailOnline).
“He (Ronaldo) stayed 10 metres away from me and said: ‘It’s always the same with you lot, you always think you’re the stars, but we don’t bring you here to be the stars, we are the stars.’ He started calmly but then got agitated,” Martinez added.
Martinez also revealed that Ronaldo made sure to apologise to him after the final whistle. The 33-year-old referee also mentioned that the Portuguese superstar does not take criticisms lightly.
Martinez knows Messi as a completely different person who remains calm and composed even while complaining. “He doesn’t get angry easily. When he complains about something, he is usually calm,” the official said on Rely Maradiaga’s YouTube channel, as per Givemesport.
During the interview, Martinez mentioned how Messi came forward to congratulate the entire team of referees. “The stadium was chanting ‘Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi’, and he went to shake our hands and congratulated us and gave us a pat on the back and said what a good game and good job. That kind of thing is worth more than anything else,” he said. Messi recently secured the 46th trophy of his career by winning the Supporter’s Shield with Inter Miami.
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