Lionel Messi says he's not friends with Cristiano Ronaldo

Speaking in an interview with DSports following Inter Miami's win over Porto on Friday, the Argentine superstar was asked about his relationship with the Portuguese icon. Messi explained that although their rivalry defined an era of football, they are unlikely to share a friendship as their interactions have been limited.

"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. "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."

This isn't the first time Messi has made such comments. In a 2017 interview with Marca, he had a similar perspective of his relationship with Ronaldo.

"I don't know if we will be [friends]," he said. 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."

Ronaldo, for his part, also described their rivalry as respectful. In an interview with El Chiringuito earlier this year, he said: "I have a good relationship with Leo Messi. I was translating him in English at an award ceremony too! It was funny. It was a healthy rivalry, we got along."

At an award ceremony in Monaco in 2019, Ronaldo, sitting beside Messi, said he’d like to have dinner with the Argentine one day. Nearly six years later, that dinner has yet to happen.

Messi and Ronaldo remain two of the most decorated players in football history, having scored nearly 2,000 goals combined for club and country.

Messi has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, while Ronaldo trails with five. On the scoring front, Ronaldo leads with 938 goals, while Messi has netted 866.

As both approach the end of their careers, Ronaldo now 40, and Messi turning 38 next week, fans continue to debate who is the true GOAT. Their rivalry was expected to rekindle at this year’s Club World Cup, but Ronaldo ultimately did not join any of the participating clubs.