Cristiano Ronaldo's love-hate relationship with Diego Simeone after ultimate disrespect

Cristiano Ronaldo is trying to persuade Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone to sign him from Manchester United, according to reports in Spain.

The 37-year-old wants to leave Old Trafford to challenge for the biggest trophies again after the Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League last season, missing out on Champions League qualification. Yet new manager Erik ten Hag wants to keep him on board.

Rumours linking Ronaldo with Atletico are surprising for a number of reasons. He is the record scorer for local rivals Real Madrid, but perhaps equally important is his love-hate relationship with Simeone. Here, takes a closer look at their turbulent past.

In case you've been living under a football-shaped rock for the past 15 years, you'll be aware of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's long-standing rivalry. Critics are divided on who is the GOAT (greatest of all time) - and it's a debate that'll never be settled.

Simeone offered his opinion in June 2018 and, surprisingly, didn't side with compatriot Messi. After Argentina's 3-0 defeat by eventual runners-up Croatia at the World Cup, he vented his thoughts to assistant German Burgos in a WhatsApp audio message.

"Messi is very good but he is very good because he is accompanied by extraordinary players," Simeone said in the leaked message. "But if you had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo for a normal team, who would you choose?"

At the time, only Ronaldo had won an international honour - inspiring Portugal to victory at Euro 2016. But Messi has since proved Simeone wrong, leading Argentina to victory at last summer's Copa America before lifting the Finalissima crown in June.

Simeone's opinion may have changed since, but it still shows how highly he regards Ronaldo. He