Cristiano Ronaldo has already made his feelings clear after Lionel Messi claimed the pair are “not friends” following Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Porto at the Club World Cup on Thursday.
Messi, 37, starred in Inter Miami’s victory yesterday and rolled back the years with a stunning free-kick to hand his side their first victory of the 2025 Club World Cup.
After the match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, the Argentine spoke to members of the media gathered in the bowels of the stadium, with one reporter asking him about his long-time rival, Ronaldo, 40, who is not at this summer’s tournament.
“The competition with him was on the pitch,” Messi told D Sports.
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“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.”
Of course, Messi and Ronaldo are the two best players of the last 20 years or so and sport 13 Ballon d’Or crowns between them – Messi has eight while Ronaldo has five.
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Last night was not the first time Messi has discussed his relationship with Ronaldo.
Back in 2017, Messi told MARCA: “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.”
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So, what does Ronaldo make of Messi?
Well, the Portuguese has spoken about the Inter Miami man on multiple occasions, voicing his respect for him, although he still maintained that they are not “friends”.
Speaking in 2023, Ronaldo explained: "I don't see things like that [as a rivalry], the rivalry is gone. It was good, spectators liked it.
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"Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi and vice versa. We've done well... we've changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that's the most important thing.
"He's followed his path, and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe. From what I've seen, he's been doing well, and so have I. The legacy lives on, but I don't see the rivalry like that. We shared the stage many times, it was 15 years. I'm not saying we're friends, I've never had dinner with him, but we're professional colleagues and we respect each other."
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Football, Inter Miami, Ballon d'Or
Luke Davies