Lionel Messi has finally shed light on his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, providing clarity on one of football’s most enduring debates. While fans have long speculated about the nature of the rivalry and whether there was any personal bond behind the scenes, Messi has confirmed that despite their mutual respect, they are not close friends.
For nearly two decades, Messi and Ronaldo have stood as the sport’s most iconic figures, shaping the modern era of football with their unrivaled achievements. Between them, they have claimed an astonishing 13 Ballon d’Or titles Messi with eight and Ronaldo with five. Together, they have scored nearly 2,000 goals across club and international football and secured countless domestic and continental titles.
Despite the constant comparisons, the competition between the two has been professional rather than personal. According to Messi, their interactions were always cordial and respectful but limited to the realm of football. “The competition with him was on the field. Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. Obviously, as always, everything stayed on the field,” Messi explained in a recent interview.
He went on to elaborate that, off the field, their lives never truly crossed paths. “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 statement underscores the lack of a personal relationship but emphasizes that there was never animosity between them just two elite athletes driven to excel.
Both players are now in the twilight of their storied careers, plying their trade outside Europe’s top leagues. Messi, 38, is currently with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, while 40-year-old Ronaldo continues to lead Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Even as they approach the end of their professional journeys, their competitive spirits remain alive. Messi recently reminded the world of his brilliance by scoring a match-winning free kick in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Porto in the Club World Cup. Ronaldo, on the other hand, opted out of participating in the tournament, having declined offers from clubs such as River Plate, signaling his ongoing commitment to Saudi football.
Statistically, Ronaldo still edges Messi in terms of total career goals, boasting 938 compared to Messi’s 866. However, the Argentine has played 174 fewer matches, making the comparison even more fascinating for fans and analysts alike.
In the end, Messi’s comments reinforce what many suspected: a rivalry forged in mutual excellence, not animosity fueled by performance, not personality.
