Argentine football star Paulo Dybala, known for his extraordinary talent and versatility on the field, has experienced the rare privilege of playing alongside both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yet, his journey with Ronaldo at Juventus started with an honest and unexpected confession.
Dybala admitted that he once “hated” the Portuguese star – a sentiment rooted in the fierce rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, particularly in Argentina.
He spent three successful years at Juventus with Ronaldo, during which they secured two Serie A titles and a Coppa Italia. However, their relationship began with a candid conversation aboard a team flight.
“There’s a big rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo in Argentina,” he noted.
“Once, we were flying out for a game, I was sitting at the back of the plane, and he was slightly ahead. At some point, he came to me, we spoke about life in general for a while, and I told him: ‘As a kid, I practically hated you.’ We laughed about it, and we’ve always been on good terms.”
Ronaldo’s influence on Dybala
Despite his initial feelings, Dybala and Ronaldo forged a strong bond both on and off the pitch. Dybala spoke highly of Ronaldo’s professionalism and his relentless drive to succeed.
“Ronaldo is a champion,” Dybala noted.
“Playing with him at Juventus was wonderful. I learned about the dedication to my profession from him and the desire to win, despite everything he had already achieved.”
Dybala’s admiration isn’t confined to Ronaldo. Having lifted the World Cup alongside Messi, he regards that achievement as a career-defining moment.
While both players have impacted him significantly, Dybala’s unique vantage point offers fans a rare insight into the contrasting qualities of these footballing icons.
When asked about his favorite teammates, Dybala named Gonzalo Higuain alongside Messi and Ronaldo.
“Higuain, Messi, and Ronaldo are my three favorite teammates,” he noted.
“Although my dream since I was a child was to play with Messi, playing with Ronaldo at Juventus was also an incredible experience.”
