Cristiano Ronaldo’s ex-Man United pal opens up on chances of ‘dream’ Lionel Messi reunion

Former Manchester United star Mikael Silvestre has called on Cristiano Ronaldo to join Lionel Messi in the MLS, claiming it would set-up a “dream” reunion.

Ronaldo, who rose to global stardom after his initial spell at Old Trafford during the 2000s with Silvestre, has since become one of football's all-time greats, boasting over 900 career goals and an extensive trophy collection.

The Portuguese icon left United for the second time in November 2022 in tumultuous circumstances, following a highly controversial interview with Piers Morgan, before making a high-profile move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro-League. He has since shattered the league’s record for the most goals scored in a single season.

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Despite the unlikelihood, Silvestre admitted that the chance to see Ronaldo go head-to-head with his eternal rival Messi on American soil – re-living their iconic clashes in Spain's La Liga for Real Madrid and Barcelona – would be a spectacle for the ages.

"It would be amazing to see Cristiano Ronaldo competing against Lionel Messi in the MLS, it would be a dream for football fans," Silvestre told Norskebettingsider.

"However, I think he is happy in Saudi and is the face of the league out there. He is also still playing for Portugal. Maybe after the World Cup, he'll decide to make a change in what might be the last transfer of his career."

Former central defender Silvestre played alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford for five seasons. They were team-mates for 138 games for United, assisting each other once while achieving Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup glory together.

Silvestre later moved to rivals Arsenal, making 43 appearances for the Gunners. Following his time under Arsene Wenger, he had a stint with Werder Bremen before crossing the Atlantic himself to play for Portland Timbers in the MLS.

Despite only making eight appearances in the MLS, Silvestre believes that the league would be the perfect next step for Ronaldo, saying it could set the stage for another exciting showdown with Messi stateside.

However, the chances of Ronaldo making a move from the Saudi Pro League appear slim. Now aged 39, his current contract in Saudi is set to run until mid-2025 - and he's hinted at a willingness to stay on until 2027.

Discussing his future with NOW, Ronaldo said: "I don't know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr."

Given the eye-watering £60million base salary, favourable tax conditions, luxury lifestyle and cars he has access to, plus the added benefit of being the face of the league, it's quite clear that Ronaldo is settled in Saudi Arabia.

Messi too is thriving in the US with a base salary estimated at around £16m. He also enjoys lucrative deals with Apple TV and Adidas and a potential future stake in an MLS franchise - echoing David Beckham's LA Galaxy deal – which ensures that the Argentine is paid handsomely for his ground-breaking move.

Messi’s contract is set to run until December 2025, but he stated earlier this year that he would hang up his boots in Miami, saying: "As of today, it [Inter Miami] is going to be my last one [club]."

While they may never face each other in their domestic leagues again, as Silvestre and fans have dreamt, the scenario of the two titans meeting head-to-head at the 2026 World Cup could still materialise, since neither legend has confirmed their absence from the upcoming tournament.

"It would be incredible to see both Ronaldo and Messi at the next World Cup," Silvestre added. "To still have those two performing now is a blessing."

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