Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid, wants to witness a LaLiga matchup between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before both players hang up their boots.
Messi spent 21 years at Barcelona before departing on a free transfer to join Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021. He has been frequently linked with a return to the club.
Prior to playing for Juventus, Manchester United, and currently Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, Ronaldo had nine trophy-filled seasons at Real Madrid.
Although there hasn’t been much discussion about Ronaldo returning to Spain’s top division, Cerezo thinks it would be in the league’s best interest if the two star attackers did.
“It would seem fantastic to me if Messi returned to the league, the same as Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said while attending the Barcelona Open tennis final on Sunday.
“Both are still playing and it would be fantastic if they returned.”
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Cerezo was speaking ahead of Atletico’s 1-0 loss to Barcelona, which leaves Diego Simeone’s side 16 points adrift of the leaders and five behind second-place Real Madrid.
Yannick Carrasco played a full part for Atletico, though he may find himself at Barcelona next season as the Catalan giants have the option to sign the versatile wide player.
“Yannick is a very good player, fantastic,” Cerezo said when asked about Carrasco’s future.
“In the world of football, there are people who want to achieve many things and don’t get to, and others who don’t want anything and get it. I don’t know [what will happen next].”