Cristiano Ronaldo’s national teammate, Francisco Trincao, has recalled how Lionel Messi greeted him during their time at Barcelona. Speaking to Relevo, Trincao revealed that the Argentine star used to greet everyone with a kiss, a custom that took some getting used to.
“Argentinian and Uruguayan players greeted each other with kisses, and Messi did the same with every teammate. Then I got used to it, but in the first few weeks, it was difficult,” Trincao explained.
### Messi’s Leadership on the Pitch
Talking about Messi’s behavior and approach during matches, Trincao added:
“On the pitch, he was very calm. He set an example more than he spoke to us. He helped us on the pitch, telling us where to go and what to do. He would tell us something, and we would accept it because what he said was true.”
### Trincao’s Barcelona Experience
Trincao played 42 matches for Barcelona in his debut season but never featured for the club again after being loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers and later sold to Sporting CP, Cristiano Ronaldo’s former club.
Reflecting on his time at the Catalan side, he said:
“Being 20 years old and having a club like Barça say they want you, I don’t think anyone can say no. I would never have said no to Barcelona, but maturity comes with time. If I continue like this, with this consistency, I’m sure I’ll be better in two years.”
When asked to define himself, Trincao said:
“It’s difficult, but I would say that I’m humble, very grateful for what I have, and very hard-working.”
### Partnership with Messi at Barcelona
Trincao featured alongside Messi in 34 games at Barcelona, combining for three goals — all coming in wins over Osasuna, Deportivo Alavés, and SD Huesca.
### Lionel Messi on His Rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo
In an interview with DSports earlier this year, Lionel Messi spoke about his well-documented rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Cristiano Ronaldo recently signed a new deal extending his stay at the Saudi Pro League club until 2027. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has penned a three-year extension with Inter Miami, keeping him at the MLS club until 2028.
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**About the Author**
Sripad Sripad is a veteran Sportskeeda football journalist with around 10 years at the company. He began writing blogs in class XI and developed a deep passion for football during the early 2000s. A lifelong Chelsea fan, Sripad considers Lionel Messi the undisputed GOAT and admires managers like Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.
He follows popular European leagues as well as MLS, Saudi Pro League, Eredivisie, and Liga MX. Sripad is known for using reliable sources and securing accurate quotes to provide proper background information. His work has earned recognition within the football community and has been shared by notable figures like John Terry, Gary Lineker, and Declan Rice.
When not working, Sripad enjoys watching past Formula 1 races and playing FIFA. If given the chance to change a football rule, he would like to see VAR fully automated and the offside rule become less stringent.
*Edited by Sripad.*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-it-strange-messi-greet-kiss-every-time-when-cristiano-ronaldo-s-portugal-teammate-opened-time-barcelona