Lionel Messi offers rare glimpse into relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo: ‘We’re not friends’

Lionel Messi has given a rare vision of his relationship with the rival of a long time Cristiano Ronaldo by admitting that the two football superstars are not friends.

The legendary couple formed a rivalry that defined a generation, becoming two of the most decorated players in history through their respectful careers.

They have a combined 13 d’Ors balloon, Messi with eight, and the closest enemy Ronaldo with five, and scored almost 2,000 goals for the club and the country among them, in addition to the large number of compliments of the team collected.

But despite sharing the center of attention for most of the last 20 years, the life of Messi and Ronaldo rarely intertwine in the countryside, something that the Argentine magician has raised the lid.

“The competition with him was in the field,” he told DSports. “Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. Obviously, as always, everything remained in the field.

“Outside the countryside, we are two normal people. We are not friends obviously because we do not spend time together, but we have always treated each other with much respect.”

Messi, 38, and Ronaldo, 40, are in the twilight of their careers, playing their football outside the elite of Europe for Inter Miami and Al-Nassr, respectively.

That said, Messi is still checking that he can hang the best in the world in the Club World Cup, with his impressive free kick that proves the difference against Porto in a 2-1 victory on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo is not competing in the inaugural interpretation of the new competition in the United States, rejecting a River Plate approach when he seems to be ready to remain in Saudi Arabia.

However, Messi never faces a career against time to reach the goals of all Ronaldo’s 938, with the former sensation of Barcelona currently in 866, although in 174 less appearances for the club and the country than his rival.