Paulo Dybala tells Juventus team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo that he is ‘hated’ in Argentina

Dybala plays for the South American nation alongside Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi

(AFP via Getty Images)

Juventus midfielder Paulo Dybala has told team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo that people in Argentina “hate” the Portugal forward.

Former Real Madrid star Ronaldo has shared a rivalry with Barcelona’s Argentine striker Messi for many years, with fans of both players constantly debating who the better player is.

Dybala, a team-mate of Messi’s with Argentina, has become friends with Ronaldo since the Portuguese’ arrival at Juventus in 2018.

And Dybala has told Ronaldo about how he is perceived in the South American country.

“I said to him: ‘Cristiano, in Argentina, we hate you a bit because of your figure, because of how you are, of how you walk,’” Dybala told the Argentinian Football Association.

“The truth is that you’ve surprised me [since we met], because I’ve found you to be different.”

Dybala was one of three Juventus players – alongside Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi – to be diagnosed with coronavirus in March, but said he has been recovering well after a period of self-isolation.

Last month, Juventus players took pay cuts amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis in order to protect the Serie A club’s non-playing staff.

Head coach Maurizio Sarri also accepted a wage cut.