“I basically hated you as a kid”, Paulo Dybala Reveals His Childhood Rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo

In a candid revelation, Paulo Dybala has shared that he once told Cristiano Ronaldo he was “hated” in Argentina because of Lionel Messi. The Argentine forward admitted that he did not like Ronaldo while growing up, highlighting the intense rivalry that has long existed between the two football icons.

Dybala’s Journey with Ronaldo at Juventus

Dybala and Ronaldo played together at Juventus from 2018 to 2021, a period during which they secured two Serie A titles and other honors. Reflecting on their time as teammates, Dybala noted that he grew closer to Ronaldo after the Portuguese superstar joined the Italian giants. However, he confessed that his allegiance to Messi made it difficult for him to appreciate Ronaldo initially.

“It was three good years with Cristiano; the team was strong, and he gave us something extra,” Dybala stated in an interview with DAZN. He acknowledged the deep-rooted rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, saying, “As a child, of course, I was always on Messi’s side.”

A Memorable Conversation on a Plane

Dybala recounted a memorable moment during their time at Juventus when they were on a plane heading to a match. While seated at the back, Dybala shared that Ronaldo came to talk to him about football and life. During their conversation, Dybala humorously admitted, “I basically hated you as a kid.” This light-hearted exchange led to laughter, and Dybala emphasized that they maintained a good relationship throughout their time together.

Despite their strong bond off the pitch, the two forwards struggled to find synergy on the field. Dybala played 93 matches alongside Ronaldo but managed to contribute to only 12 goals together. In contrast, he has played 18 matches with Messi, resulting in just one joint goal contribution.

Insights from Dybala’s Brother and Agent

Dybala’s brother and agent, Gustavo, previously addressed the dynamics between Dybala and Ronaldo in 2019. He clarified that there were no off-field issues between the two stars, stating, “There’s no problem with [Ronaldo] off the field; the problems are on it.” He suggested that Dybala’s youth and Ronaldo’s established status created a challenging environment for collaboration.

Gustavo also mentioned that many players at Juventus were unhappy during that time, hinting at a broader issue within the team. “Paulo is not the only one who’ll leave. Many players are unhappy at Juventus, not just Paulo,” he noted, foreshadowing Dybala’s eventual departure from the club.

In 2022, Paulo Dybala made the move to AS Roma after leaving Juventus, a year after Ronaldo departed for Manchester United. Dybala’s transition to Roma has allowed him to redefine his role in Serie A and continue his career at a high level.

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