Football legend Lionel Messi has offered a rare and candid insight into his long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, clarifying that while the two are not friends, there is deep mutual respect between them. Speaking to DSports, the Inter Miami star emphasized that their iconic competition was always confined to the pitch and never spilled into personal animosity.
⚽ “The Competition Was on the Pitch”
“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 said.
“We’re not friends obviously because we don’t spend time together, but we’ve always treated each other with a lot of respect.”
Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry defined an era of football, especially during their La Liga clashes—Messi with Barcelona, Ronaldo with Real Madrid. Between them, they’ve amassed 13 Ballon d’Or titles, shattered goal-scoring records, and captivated fans worldwide.
🌍 Still Making History
Now playing for Inter Miami and Al Nassr, respectively, both stars continue to shine. Messi recently scored a stunning free-kick to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 win over FC Porto in the Club World Cup, marking the first time a CONCACAF team defeated a European side in an official FIFA tournament. Ronaldo, meanwhile, netted a crucial equalizer for Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final, helping his team win in a dramatic penalty shootout.
🤝 Mutual Admiration
Ronaldo, too, has echoed similar sentiments in past interviews, stating he has “never had a bad relationship with Messi” and that their rivalry was always professional.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Club World Cup and beyond.
