Cristiano Ronaldo Denies Report That His Nickname For Messi Is ‘Motherf----r!’

Throughout the duration of their playing careers, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will forever be linked. Their relationship is marked in the annals of soccer’s history, and as long as the other continues to compete, the debate will rage on over which of the two is the greatest soccer player of their generation. A new chapter of their rivalry began on Tuesday when an excerpt from a new book written by Spanish football expert Guillern Balague was released claiming that Ronaldo and Messi’s relationship is cold and distant. Additionally, Balague claims that behind closed doors, CR7 has some unflattering nicknames and jokes for the Argentine star.

Ronaldo released a statement on his Facebook page earlier today denying the claims that he calls Messi offensive nicknames and that he would seek legal action against those who are responsible. Ronaldo responded immediately after the reports surfaced with a stern statement insisting he would never treat any fellow professional soccer player with such disrespect:

“News is circulating that I allegedly made offending remarks regarding Lionel Messi,” wrote Ronaldo on his official Facebook page. “This is absolutely false and I have assured my lawyer takes action to sue those responsible. I have the utmost respect for all my professional colleagues, and Messi is obviously no exception.”

In his book, Balague, explains that in the Real Madrid locker room, Ronaldo refers to Messi as the “motherf----r!” and that anyone who calls Messi by his real name is also labeled as a “mother----r!” The book also suggests that Ronaldo and his teammates constantly compare Messi to a little dog (like a Chihuahua) that Ronaldo keeps inside his designer handbags.

The two icons of the sport of soccer have won six FIFA Balloon d’Or trophies between them and are above and beyond the class of the soccer world. Despite the new book shedding light on the disrespect the players have for each other behind closed doors, rumors that the two players are not friends are nothing new. The two legends remain civil and supportive of each other in public forums, but for years their personal rivalry and dislike for each other has been well documented.

The rivalry has intensified over the past few weeks as last month, Ronaldo and Real Madrid trumped Messi and his FC Barcelona club 3-1 in the first Clasico match of the La Liga season. Messi got even with Ronaldo by beating the Portuguese star to Raul’s record of 71 UEFA Champions League goals as Messi scored a brace in a 2-0 victory against Ajax in Amsterdam.

Ronaldo is the front runner to win his third Balloon d’Or in January of 2015, moving him within one of Messi’s total of four trophies. Ronaldo is obliterating Messi and all competition in La Liga scoring as the Real Madrid striker currently has 18 goals in 10 appearances to Messi’s seven goals in 11 appearances.