Sharing a football pitch with Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is indeed a memorable experience for a footballer in the current era. Former Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin remains grateful to have played on the same team as the former Los Blancos talisman during his playing days.
The Turkish midfielder teamed up with the Portuguese during their time together at the Santiago Bernabeu. Sahin spent three years contracted to Real Madrid, two of which were on loan. He made four appearances for the club in the 2011-12 season.
The former Borussia Dortmund player showered praise on 'CR7' while answering a question involving him and his eternal rival.
Sahin made the remark while answering questions from a few young students he met at an event recently. The 33-year-old was asked about his memories of the legends, to which he replied, as quoted by Footmac:
"I played on the same team as Ronaldo. I have memories with him. There was the World Cup in Germany. I was 16 years old and I was a Ronaldo fan."
"I asked my sponsor to introduce me to Ronaldo and we met. He gave me a jersey as a gift and I remember that day when we became teammates 5-6 years later. He said to me, 'You said you would be on the same team with me that day. I'm so glad it happened.''
Sahin went further to hail Cristiano as a 'very, very big player'. He added that the Portuguese's stature as arguably the greatest player in history was not a hindrance and he has great memories of him.
The 33-year-old said:
"He is a very, very big player for me. He may be the greatest football player of all time, but I have very good memories of him in terms of humanity."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's numbers this season
It goes without saying that both players have had rather average outings by their lofty standards with their respective clubs so far this season. Lionel Messi has bagged just nine goals and 13 assists for PSG in 30 appearances in all competitions.
Cristiano, meanwhile, has a record 22 goals and three assists to his name in 35 matches for Manchester United across all fronts. Although the Portuguese has had a slightly better outing, both players will be looking to raise their levels next term. The duo will look to bow out on a high as they face their twilight years.
Yaueiknops
0
ronaldo
👊
Yaueiknops
1
❤️❤️❤️
maocklortz
0
ronaldo
votckmost
0
AND CR7 IS PLAYING EUROPA NEXT YEAR SHAME 😂 😂
And Barcelona played Europa this seasons SHAME
YormGokah
0
AND CR7 IS PLAYING EUROPA NEXT YEAR SHAME 😂 😂
you know what, you should be thinking of what Messi will be playing when he's 37.... remember how according to you guys CR7 was a flop during his first season at Juve?
Lidclrtuyz
0
AND CR7 IS PLAYING EUROPA NEXT YEAR SHAME 😂 😂
Dooimopt
0
🐐🐐🐐
kbw1993
0
Autty this week be like "Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's numbers this season" no story anymore?
omochris
0
Both Ronaldo and Messi are great players with different style of playing, this debate will continue for ever but I believe future will have the greatest respect for the highest goal scorer like we all respect Pele before Ronaldo break his record, Pele nor maradona never won balloon d'or and the are the greatest and the greatest moment in 90 min of football is when the ball enter the net which mean football match is about goal because goal give the point, that's my opinion.
You nailed it
omochris
4
Salah at the age of 29 even with a team as good as Liverpool, has 30 goals in 43 appearances, whereas Cr7 at the age of 37 in a team as bad as Manchester United has 22 goals in 35 appearances.
omochris
3
Cr7's standard has not dropped at all. 22 goals in 35 appearances for a lacklustre team like Man United in a competitive league like premier league is a very good return for a 37 years old player. Only a few young stars in the premier league can match up to his statistics this season?
jezaclu
4
Both Ronaldo and Messi are great players with different style of playing, this debate will continue for ever but I believe future will have the greatest respect for the highest goal scorer like we all respect Pele before Ronaldo break his record, Pele nor maradona never won balloon d'or and the are the greatest and the greatest moment in 90 min of football is when the ball enter the net which mean football match is about goal because goal give the point, that's my opinion.
20231Creme”
6
Greatest of all time👑🐐
Tihaeimtuz
0
Why did he retire so early
Shortly before the end of his stay at Dortmund, Nuri sustained a medial collateral ligament injury. He joined Los Blancos still unfit, and aggravated the injury shortly after returning to training.
KreddyKall
2
Why did he retire so early
Always_in_my_heart
5
Messi and Ronaldo fans running to start another debate. Fgs,can we give these guys a break? 🤷