"We're not friends" - Lionel Messi opens up about his relationship with long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo

The Argentine says he shared good times with him on the pitch.

Lionel Messi has opened up about his relationship with “normal” Cristiano Ronaldo by acknowledging that two of the greatest players of all time are “not friends”.

This is just because their paths don’t often cross, not because of any animosity or disagreement between the two. They found themselves on opposite sides of the intense Clasico split between LaLiga powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid, even when they were in the same nation and regularly faced off against each other in Spain.

Lionel Messi is currently playing for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS), while Ronaldo is currently with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Calls have been made for them to play together before they both hang up their record-breaking boots, but a fervent worldwide fan base still believes that such a deal is possible.

Messi had the chance to play in the same competition as Ronaldo this summer when Inter Miami participated in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, but CR7 passed up chances to join a team competing in the tournament.

Lionel Messi addresses his friendship with Ronaldo, his longtime rival

Messi has now given DSports an explanation of his relationship with Ronaldo, saying:

“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.”

“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.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Khel Now FC (@khelnowfc)

Together, Messi and Ronaldo have collected 13 Ballons d’Or, and their names are innumerable in the annals of history. While Messi, the World Cup winner, turns 38 on Tuesday, the latter continues to be strong at 40 and is working toward reaching 1000 career goals.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.