Lionel Messi breaks silence on his bond with Cristiano Ronaldo, says 'We’re not friends, but...'

In the world of modern football, few rivalries have captured the imagination like that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Spanning over a decade, their competition defined an era, especially during their prime years in Spain’s La Liga. But despite the fierce on-pitch rivalry, Messi has revealed a deep mutual respect between the two icons, even though they’re not personal friends.

The rise of a legendary rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry took shape in the early 2010s when both players were at the height of their powers. Messi, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, had already established himself as the club’s talisman. Ronaldo, on the other hand, arrived at Real Madrid in 2009 and quickly became a phenomenon, fueling one of football’s greatest individual battles.

For years, El Clasico clashes between Barcelona and Real Madrid were defined by the brilliance of Messi and Ronaldo. Their goals, assists, and unmatched consistency sparked global debates over who was the greatest footballer of all time.

Respect without friendship

Now in the twilight of their careers, both superstars have moved on from the European spotlight. Messi plies his trade with Inter Miami in the MLS, while Ronaldo represents Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Despite the physical distance and diverging career paths, Messi recently reflected on their relationship during an interview with D Sports.