Lionel Messi Finally Addresses the Big Question About Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi Finally Addresses the Big Question About Cristiano Ronaldo

Abigael Wafula 08:37 - 22.06.2025

Lionel Messi has opened up about his dynamic with Cristiano Ronaldo, offering a rare insight into their off-pitch connection.

Lionel Messi has offered a rare insight into his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, confirming that despite their long-standing rivalry, they are not friends.

The two iconic players have dominated the football world for a generation, becoming two of the most decorated athletes in history and are mostly referred to as the Greatest of All Time.

Between them, they have amassed 13 Ballon d'Ors, eight for Lionel Messi and five for Cristiano Ronaldo, and have scored nearly 2,000 goals for club and country, alongside numerous team trophies.

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Lionel Messi Opens Up About Relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Despite sharing the global spotlight for almost two decades, Lionel Messi revealed that his life and that of Cristiano Ronaldo rarely intersect off the pitch.

"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," Lionel Messi told DSports.

He continued, "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."

Both Lionel Messi, 38, and Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, are now in the later stages of their careers, playing outside of Europe's top leagues for Inter Miami and Al-Nassr, respectively.

Lionel Messi continues to demonstrate his world-class ability, recently scoring a decisive free kick in Inter Miami's 2-1 victory over Porto in the Club World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo is not participating in the inaugural Club World Cup in the United States, having reportedly declined an offer from River Plate and seemingly committed to remaining in Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi, currently with 866 career goals, still trails Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time record of 938, although the Argentinian has played 174 fewer matches for club and country than his Portuguese counterpart.