… Okay, that title’s a little misleading. Ronaldo actually called out Lio Messi because the Danish supporters were giving him a ripe kicking to the Beans and Mash on Wednesday, and Cristiano didn’t like it.

From Zee television in India (who were the first we saw to post the story):

“You know where he was at this time [last year]? Do you know? He was being eliminated in the Copa America, in his own country,” Ronaldo said at the post-game press conference. “I think that`s worse, no?”

Danes mocked Ronaldo every time he touched the ball, chanting Lio’s name. And, wouldn’t you have it, Cris wasn’t having his best day. He was largely invisible, and missed a fantastic chance on a breakaway that would have sealed the victory for Portugal.

Sure, they got it eventually, but it was late and probably too late for comfort. And, even after that hard-fought, nail-biting exorcism of lowly Denmark (who actually sit higher than Portugal in FIFA’s World Rankings), the Iberians are only tied with their Copenhagen-y friends with three points, good for second in the group behind Germany.

Ronaldo’s stance in the “Greatest Player in the World” debate is pretty much nailed and boarded in concrete at this point. He’s second. Lionel Messi is first. There’s no debating that.

The only question there is, “How close is he to Messi?” It’s not, “Is he better?” or “Can he be better?” It’s only, “How far behind Messi is he?”

That’s got to get to him. Well, that and his uninspired play at this year’s Euros (and 2008′s Euros). (*We don’t think it’s really been that “uninspired,” we just know that English-y folks like that adjective.)

Our advice? Win, score, and then talk. So far, you’ve only completed Steps 1 and 3.