“Lionel Messi should reconsider his invitation to dinner with Cristiano Ronaldo”

Patrice Evra has humorously suggested that Lionel Messi might want to continue avoiding Cristiano Ronaldo's proposed dinner, joking that it would be like another “practice session”. In 2019, Ronaldo said he would like to have dinner with his eternal rival, Messi, while sitting next to him during a memorable moment during the Champions League draw.

The concept of a shared meal follows an interview with TNT, where Ronaldo spoke about their unique and prolonged rivalry. Messi responded in Spanish when asked if they missed their head-to-head clashes.

Ronaldo's words were: “I was curious because we shared the stage for 15 years, him and I, I don't know if this has ever happened in football, the same two guys on the same stage all time. So it's not easy, and of course we have a good relationship. We haven't had dinner together yet but hopefully in the future. [it will happen]”.

Messi then expressed his willingness to accept such a proposal to SPORT, echoing Ronaldo's sentiment and confirming: “Yes, I have no problem with it.”

Continuing, the Barcelona legend said: “I always said I had no problem with him. We may not be friends because we never shared a dressing room together, but I always see him at awards shows and there's no problem actually, we talked for quite a while at the last show.

“I don't know if there will be a dinner because I don't know if our paths will cross for obvious reasons, each of us has our own lives and our own commitments. But obviously I would accept the invitation.”

Five years have passed and a story from a year before this famous clip has resurfaced, where Evra discusses his meal with the Real Madrid icon. The former Manchester United defender, who played alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford, previously told a funny story about meeting the Portuguese star at his home, where Ronaldo invited him for a meal and a training session .

During the 2018 World Cup, Evra was part of ITV's pundit team and revealed his private time with the now 39-year-old was not what he expected . “I will give advice to anyone: when Cristiano invites you to lunch, just say no,” warned the Frenchman with a laugh. “Not because of the food, but it looks like a workout there.”

The former left-back then detailed his visit to Ronaldo's home and how he expected a relaxing meal, but instead found a bland spread of unseasoned chicken, salad and water, followed by an intense session workout after lunch. “He asked me to come after training. I was really tired, but at the table there was only salad and plain white chicken, just water, no juice,” said he declared.

“We started eating and I thought some big meat was going to come after that, but nothing. He just finishes and starts playing with the ball. I just finished eating but we start playing two-touch and then he wants to go to the swimming pool, then a jacuzzi, a sauna.

“So I say why are we here? Do we have a match tomorrow? That's why I recommend to anyone, when Cristiano asks you to have lunch at his place, to say no, not to go.”

Evra added: “He's a machine, he never wants to stop training. Being serious, he deserves everything he gets because he's worked so hard.”

“He was playing table tennis with Rio Ferdinand and Rio beat him and we were all screaming. Ronaldo was so upset. So he sent his cousin to play on a ping pong table and trained for two weeks at the house, and he came back and “He beat Rio in front of everyone. He's Cristiano Ronaldo, and that's why I'm not surprised that he wants to win another Ballon d'Or, win the World Cup, because he's an angry man.”