We're not friends, we don't socialise: Lionel Messi on Cristiano Ronaldo

Dubai: As Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo enter the twilight of their illustrious football careers, their legacy remains firmly cemented in the sport's history. For nearly two decades, the two icons have dominated world football, amassing countless individual and team accolades.

While the rivalry between them has been fierce on the pitch, both players have consistently shown mutual respect off it. In a recent interview with DSports during the Club World Cup, Messi addressed their relationship.

“We’re not friends, obviously, because we don’t spend time together,” the Argentine star admitted. “But we’ve always treated each other with a lot of respect. I have a lot of admiration for Ronaldo and for the career he’s had—and continues to have—because he’s still competing at the highest level.”

Together, Messi and Ronaldo have won a staggering 13 Ballon d’Or awards— Messi with a record-breaking eight and Ronaldo with five. Their rivalry defined an era, particularly during their time in La Liga, where they clashed in El Clásicos, Copa del Rey encounters, and Champions League showdowns while representing Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively.

“The competition with him was on the pitch,” Messi continued. “Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. But everything always stayed on the field. Off the pitch, we’re just two normal people.”

Ronaldo echoed similar sentiments in a 2022 interview, reflecting on their shared history.

“He’s an amazing player. He is magic,” said the Portuguese star. “As a person, we’ve shared the stage for 16 years—imagine that, 16 years. So, I have a great relationship with him. I wouldn’t say we’re friends in the sense of calling or visiting each other, but more like teammates.”

Ronaldo also spoke about the respect between their families. “He’s someone I truly respect, and he’s always spoken well of me. Even our partners respect each other—his wife, my girlfriend, they’re both from Argentina. What more can I say about Messi? He’s a great guy who has done incredible things for football.”