Lionel Messi has offered a candid perspective on his relationship with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, admitting that while the two football icons share mutual respect, they are not close friends. The legendary duo, widely regarded as two of the greatest players in football history, have collectively scored nearly 2,000 goals for club and country, with Ronaldo leading at 938 and Messi close behind at 866. Their rivalry has defined an era, with Messi securing eight Ballon d’Or titles to Ronaldo’s five, making them the sport’s most decorated stars.

Now, as Messi approaches his 38th birthday and Ronaldo, at 40, continues to compete, their paths remain distinct. Ronaldo is currently playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, while Messi shines with Inter Miami in the MLS. Fans had hoped for a reunion at the Club World Cup this month, but Ronaldo opted against joining clubs participating in the revamped competition. Historically, their encounters have been limited to fierce battles on the pitch, representing rival clubs or national teams.

In a recent interview with DSports, Messi opened up about his dynamic with Ronaldo, emphasizing their professional respect but acknowledging the lack of a personal bond. “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.”

These sentiments echo Messi’s earlier remarks in a 2017 interview with Marca, where he explained, “I don’t know if we will be [friends]. 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, on the other hand, has described their rivalry as “healthy” and their relationship as amicable. In an interview with El Chiringuito earlier this year, he shared a lighthearted anecdote about translating for Messi at an awards ceremony, saying, “I have a good relationship with Leo Messi. It was a healthy rivalry, we got along.”

Despite their limited personal interactions, the mutual admiration between Messi and Ronaldo is undeniable. Messi’s acknowledgment of Ronaldo’s enduring ability to compete at the highest level underscores the respect that defines their iconic rivalry, even if their paths rarely cross off the field.