Fans have long wondered just what the relationship between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is like, and the Argentinian legend has now opened up on where he stands with his rival
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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi walk past each other on the pitch while playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were fierce rivals in their La Liga days
(Image: AP)
The relationship between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has been the source of feverish speculation for years. The duo, often regarded as the two best players of all time, honed their intense rivalry in La Liga with Messi starring for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
While fans are eager to know if the pair are pals, the Argentinian World Cup winner has now opened up on where he stands with his Portuguese rival. Messi, 37, is still causing waves on the world's stage for Inter Miami, while Ronaldo, 40, now plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Messi gave a timely reminder of his genius on Thursday, giving Miami their first win the Club World Cup with a breathtaking free-kick against FC Porto.
Afterwards, he discussed his long-term adversary Ronaldo, claiming that they are not actually friends. However, he explained that's only the case as the pair barely get a chance to cross paths.
"I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and for the career he's had and continues to have, because he's still competing at the highest level," Messi told DSports.
"The competition with him was on the pitch. Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. Obviously, as always, everything stayed on the field. Off the pitch, we are two normal people. We're not friends obviously because we don't spend time together, but we've always treated each other with a lot of respect."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi sit next to each other while wearing suits
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have often been sat with one another at award ceremonies
His comments echo his take on the relationship that he made eight years ago. Messi told Spanish outlet Marca in 2017: "I don't know if we will be [friends]. Friendship is built through spending time together and getting to know each other.
"We have no relationship, mainly because we only see each other at awards ceremonies and that's the only time we speak. Everything is fine, but our lives don't cross over very often."
Does Ronaldo feel the same way? In an interview with Spanish outlet El Chiringuito earlier this year, the ex-Manchester United star claimed he is on good terms with the Miami star due their 'healthy' rivalry – although he has distanced himself from having a friendship with Messi in the recent past.
"I have a good relationship with Leo Messi," said Ronaldo this year. "I was translating him in English at an award ceremony too! It was funny. It was a healthy rivalry, we got along."
However, speaking in 2023, Ronaldo explained: "I don't see things like that [as a rivalry], the rivalry is gone. It was good, spectators liked it.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi walk past each other on the football pitch
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have a wealth of respect for one another but have said they are not friends
"Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi and vice versa. He's followed his path, and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe.
"The legacy lives on, but I don't see the rivalry like that. We shared the stage many times, it was 15 years. I'm not saying we're friends, I've never had dinner with him, but we're professional colleagues and we respect each other."
While the constant debate of just who is the better player, as well as their La Liga battles, have spurred on the question of whether the two are friends - there is another point of contention between the pair: the Ballon d'Or.
Messi has been crowned the winner of the prestigious award eight times, while Ronaldo is his closest challenger on five, which has caused some friction. Yet it seems the iconic duo, while not likely to be spotted dining together any time soon, have put their famous rivalry to one side, for now.
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