Why Cristiano Ronaldo may turn down Copa Libertadores reunion with Lionel Messi

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The Barcelona star has asked to attend the River v Boca Juniors clash but Ronaldo is said to be digging his heels in

The Barcelona star has asked to attend the River v Boca Juniors clash but Ronaldo is said to be digging his heels in

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of sport’s greatest ever rivals and this Sunday they have a chance to sit down, enjoy a nice meal and watch the Copa Libertadores final in each other’s company.

There’s no doubt the conversation over lunch would surround their recent Ballon d’Or snubs. Oh to be on their table.

But there’s just one problem – Ronaldo is leaning towards not attending because of where the second leg is being held.

The game between River Plate and Boca Juniors is being played at the Bernabéu this weekend after ugly scenes forced the final out of Argentina.

It’s not often that the superstars are pictured together

Both mega stars are invited and organisers see two of the game’s biggest ever players coming together as a positive way to end a traumatic saga.

Barcelona great Messi has already confirmed he will accept the VIP invite but Ronaldo isn’t so sure.

According to well-respected AS, the Juventus man’s relationship with Real’s hierarchy is still just too delicate.

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“Cristiano would be delighted to accept the invitation and watch the game alongside Messi in the VIP lounge but the wounds of his exit have not completely healed over,” a source explained.

But Ronaldo may not be there to see the match
The Spanish Football Federation announced that “the presence of Cristiano and Messi would be a wonderful message for football, and it would put both players in a setting where they deserve to be.”

But it’s said to be unlikely that Ronaldo will leave Turin this weekend, despite Juve playing on Friday night.

Staging the Copa Libertadores in Spain has proved highly controversial.

The game was switched after an attack on the Boca team bus left a number of players reportedly vomiting and requiring treatment from club doctors.

River Plate wanted the game played in Buenos Aires and only today confirmed they would fly to Spain and fulfil the fixture.

Boca wanted the tie scrapped altogether but both will be in Madrid this weekend.

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