‘Cristiano Ronaldo Fan’ Usain Bolt Silences Lionel Messi Haters During Laureus World Sports Awards 2024

Lionel Messi failed to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award; a minor blip in his recent run. Had he won, it would have been his second consecutive big prize win at the Laureus. But in what can soothe Argentine fans, the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt lavished grand praises on him at the event. Notably, Bolt is a renowned Cristiano Ronaldo fan. But he rarely shies away from giving Messi the credit when it is due.

During the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony, a TNT Sports entourage met Usain Bolt and asked him to pick soccer’s greatest ever. The Jamaican legend unsurprisingly got puzzled and diplomatically said he was just a Cristiano Ronaldo fan. Thereafter, Bolt predicted Jude Bellingham’s rise to the top level, citing his recent exploits. Then, the reporter asked him to share his thoughts about Lionel Messi. “Yeah, Messi is great, hands down. We can’t take that from Lionel Messi. You know what I mean,” said Usain Bolt.

It is quite surprising for a hardcore Ronaldo fan to say no one can take greatness away from Leo Messi. Besides, the 8x Olympic Gold winner had earlier admitted that he supports the Argentina NT. So, Bolt’s admiration of La Pulga comes as no surprise. Anyhow, this is not the first time the Jamaican has been speaking about Ronaldo and Messi. He had done that earlier and even then he had taken a diplomatic route.

Usain Bolt’s diplomatic takes on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

In a 2021 interview, Usain Bolt was asked to pick between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to end soccer’s GOAT debate. After saying he was a Ronaldo fan, Bolt added that choosing between the two is a difficult endeavor. “It is difficult for me to choose because I support Argentina. I admire Ronaldo since he played for Manchester United and I support the Red Devils,” said Usain Bolt. Anyhow, he later delved deeper into his admiration for the Portuguese icon and how he can relate to Leo Messi.

“Messi is very talented. From what I’ve learned and listened to over the years, Cristiano had to work to get where he is. I was born with speed and had a lot of talent [like Messi],” Bolt added. Now, the Jamaican track legend has once again proved that his stance about the two soccer greats has not changed over the years. He is a hardcore Ronaldo fan with a profound admiration for La Pulga.