Cristiano Ronaldo is known for thriving in the face of criticism and hate, and when he was informed that he was disliked in Argentina, he responded with his typical grace and confidence.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldo has been inextricably linked with his rival Lionel Messi, and the rivalry between their fans has been a prominent aspect of their careers. In many matches, Ronaldo is taunted with chants of “Messi,” whether he’s playing for Portugal or his club.

In 2020, Paulo Dybala, who had the unique opportunity to play alongside both Ronaldo and Messi at Juventus, revealed that he had informed Ronaldo that he wasn’t particularly popular among Argentinians. Despite this revelation, Ronaldo remained unfazed.

Dybala shared his impressions of Ronaldo, saying, “On a personal level, I was surprised for good because I did not know him, none of us knew anything about him.” He continued, “Even in the previous Champions League, we were knocked out against Real Madrid and there had been many crosses.”

However, Dybala discovered a different side to Ronaldo during their time together. He described Ronaldo as “an excellent guy, very sociable and friendly inside and outside the locker room.” Dybala noted that Ronaldo was always willing to talk and listen, which was surprising considering his status as a global football icon.

Dybala then recounted a conversation he had with Ronaldo in which he expressed the sentiment of many Argentinians: “Once I sat down to talk to him, we were traveling. I said, ‘Look, if I’m honest, we in Argentina hate you a bit because of your personality, your way of being. Then you really surprised me because I found something else.'”

Ronaldo’s response was gracious and self-aware. He acknowledged the criticism he often faced and said, “I know that’s the way it is, but I know how I am, I’m used to being criticized for that.”

Despite the rivalry and differing fan loyalties between Ronaldo and Messi, the two football legends share mutual respect, and Dybala’s experience highlighted Ronaldo’s ability to win over people with his character and approachability.