This has been the hot exchange of statements between Cristiano Ronaldo and Antonio Cassano

Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a firm rebuttal to former Real Madrid player Antonio Cassano, after the Italian sparked controversy with critical comments about Ronaldo during a podcast appearance. Cassano, a well-known figure in Italian football, who has played for clubs like Roma, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, stirred up debate when he left Ronaldo out of his top five and even top ten footballers of all time during the BSMT podcast.

Cassano's remarks, particularly his statement that “Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t make my top five, not even my top ten, because for me, the quality of a player is something else,” appeared to strike a nerve with the Al-Nassr captain. In a direct response, Ronaldo sent Cassano a message listing his career achievements, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions League victories, the 2016 Euro Cup win, and five Ballon d'Ors, a gesture meant to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest players in football history.

Cassano’s Response to Ronaldo's Retaliation

Cassano, known for his outspoken nature, shared more details of their exchange during another appearance, describing how Ronaldo contacted him via a message from a Spanish number. The message, according to Cassano, contained a list of Ronaldo's numerous accomplishments, followed by a voice note where Ronaldo said, "You disrespected me, don’t ever do that again."

In response, Cassano held his ground, replying to Ronaldo, “Listen, Cristiano, you think I disrespected you, but I just don’t like you as a player. What’s the problem?” This wasn’t the first time Cassano had voiced harsh opinions about Ronaldo. Last year, he labeled the Portuguese striker “selfish” and even suggested he should consider retiring. Most recently, Cassano doubled down on his criticisms, insisting that Ronaldo’s game lacked the teamwork skills displayed by other top strikers, such as Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski.

Ronaldo’s Continued Dominance

Despite the public back-and-forth, Cristiano Ronaldo remains focused on his football career. Currently playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo continues to be a central figure on the pitch and in the headlines. As he prepares for Portugal's upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Poland, the football icon shows no signs of slowing down, further fueling discussions about his lasting legacy.

• Antonio Cassano left Ronaldo out of his top ten footballers of all time, citing a lack of quality in his playstyle compared to others.
• Ronaldo responded with a message listing his career achievements, including seven league titles, five Champions League wins, and five Ballon d'Ors.
• Cassano defended his comments, reiterating that he doesn’t like Ronaldo’s style of play and comparing him unfavorably to other strikers.
• Cassano has previously called Ronaldo “selfish” and suggested he should retire, reigniting debates about Ronaldo’s place among football’s greatest players.