‘We're not friends': Lionel Messi on how relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo is based on mutual respect

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi said that while he had a tremendous amount of respect for eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the two superstars were not exactly friends. Messi said that this was not due to some kind of personal animosity but was down to the simple fact that the two superstars don't spend time together with their paths rarely crossing.
'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 told DSports.
'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,' he added.
A few weeks ago, Ronaldo had also said that he had nothing but respect for Messi. 'I have affection for Messi, although we have been rivals for many years. As I have said in several interviews, we were on stage for 15 years. I translated for him at the galas. I have affection for him because he always respected me a lot,' Ronaldo had said ahead of Portugal's game against Spain in the Nations League final.
On Friday, Messi's stunning free kick secured Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Porto in their Club World Cup Group A clash, marking the first time a CONCACAF team has defeated a European side in an official FIFA tournament.
The Argentine great was pivotal as the Major League Soccer side bounced back from their disappointing goalless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly in their opening match.
Inter Miami's win over Porto boosts their chances of a deep run in a tournament designed to pit champion clubs from across the globe against one another. The competition is taking place in 12 stadiums across the United States.

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