Lionel Messi's 'not friends' claim as Cristiano Ronaldo left rival in no doubt

Fans have long wondered just what the relationship between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is like, and the Argentinian legend has now opened up on where he stands with his rival
The relationship between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has been the source of feverish speculation for years. The duo, often regarded as the two best players of all time, honed their intense rivalry in La Liga with Messi starring for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
While fans are eager to know if the pair are pals, the Argentinian World Cup winner has now opened up on where he stands with his Portuguese rival. Messi, 37, is still causing waves on the world's stage for Inter Miami, while Ronaldo, 40, now plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
‌
Messi gave a timely reminder of his genius on Thursday, giving Miami their first win the Club World Cup with a breathtaking free-kick against FC Porto.
‌
Afterwards, he discussed his long-term adversary Ronaldo, claiming that they are not actually friends. However, he explained that's only the case as the pair barely get a chance to cross paths.
"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."
His comments echo his take on the relationship that he made eight years ago. Messi told Spanish outlet Marca in 2017: "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."
‌
Does Ronaldo feel the same way? In an interview with Spanish outlet El Chiringuito earlier this year, the ex-Manchester United star claimed he is on good terms with the Miami star due their 'healthy' rivalry – although he has distanced himself from having a friendship with Messi in the recent past.
"I have a good relationship with Leo Messi," said Ronaldo this year. "I was translating him in English at an award ceremony too! It was funny. It was a healthy rivalry, we got along."
However, 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.
‌
"Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don't have to hate Messi and vice versa. He's followed his path, and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe.
"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."
While the constant debate of just who is the better player, as well as their La Liga battles, have spurred on the question of whether the two are friends - there is another point of contention between the pair: the Ballon d'Or.
Messi has been crowned the winner of the prestigious award eight times, while Ronaldo is his closest challenger on five, which has caused some friction. Yet it seems the iconic duo, while not likely to be spotted dining together any time soon, have put their famous rivalry to one side, for now.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mail​

an hour ago

• Daily Mail​

Luke Humphries weighs in on Luke Littler's feud with darts icon after England duo were accused of 'letting their country down' at World Cup

Luke Humphries has weighed in on Luke Litter's feud with a darts icon after the world No 1 and 2 were accused of 'letting their country down' at the World Cup. The duo, who are widely regarded as the best two players in the world given both their rankings, recent World Championship success and their major wins, teamed up to represent England at the World Cup of Darts last week. They were heavy favourites to take home the crown - which would have meant Humphries would have defended the title he won a year earlier with Michael Smith - but they crashed out in the first round. After skipping the group stage due to being seeded, England were drawn against home favourites Germany in the first knockout stage, and were targeted by the crowd from the off as they fell to defeat by Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko. After, Dennis Priestley, a double world champion, opened fire at Littler and Humphries as he accused the team of 'letting their country down' and claimed they didn't deserve their MBEs. Littler hit back, and Humphries has now too weighed in - though with a slightly more toned down response. Littler claimed he did more for darts in 12 months than icon Dennis Priestley 'ever did' 'Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired ay such a damaging thing to me and Luke,' Humphries wrote on X. 'I didn't let my country down last year tho did I. 'One bad game for us and we will be back next year to go again. Let's move on now.' He accompanied the post with a hiding emoji and laughing emoji. Littler, meanwhile, took a more aggressive stance. In a hastily deleted Instagram story, he wrote: 'Don't deserve an MBE but done more in 12 months than he ever did... that's what I would say anyway.' Priestley had told OLBG in full: 'Luke Littler and Luke Humphries let their country down at the World Cup of Darts. From what we've heard they weren't sitting together or practising together. 'When I was playing in pairs with Phil Taylor we practised together and sat together, we played all over the world and I only remember us getting beaten once. 'To be brutally honest, I don't think either Luke Littler or Luke Humphries have done enough to earn their MBEs just yet.' Priestley holds the distinction of being the first player to win both the PDC and the BDO World Championships, though the latter was dissolved in 2020. A former coal merchant from Yorkshire, Priestley, nicknamed 'the Menace,' only entered the professional darts circuit in his late 30s. Gerwyn Price claimed Littler and Humphries played 'rubbish' and questioned their teamwork He added: 'I think in time they could've done enough to warrant it (the MBE) but it feels very early, they have both won one World Championship each and are still young in their careers. 'Littler has been recognised for raising the popularity of darts which is great, but he can still do so much more. 'If he is getting an MBE this soon then you'd have to think he is on the right path to a knighthood, nothing would surprise me now.' Rival and Welshman Gerwyn Price stuck his boot in on the two Lukes too, saying during the tournament: 'When we turned up on the first day, and I'm not just saying this because they lost, but the only two players that didn't turn up together, didn't sit together, didn't play as a team - I'm not saying who they are - but they didn't win their first game. 'You need to turn up together, you need to be as a team, you practice together, you sit together, it's a team ethic. It didn't show with England, and it showed on the board. 'They are great players individually, but you need to be a team. 'You need that team ethic. You need to be as a team all the way through but it didn't happen.

Metro

an hour ago

• Metro

Man Utd begin talks to sign Marco Carnesecchi after Andre Onana approach

Manchester United have begun initial talks to sign Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi after receiving interest from Monaco for Andre Onana, according to reports. Onana's future at Old Trafford is in doubt after two unconvincing seasons with United following his £47.2 million move from Inter in 2023. The Cameroon international also refused to rule out the prospect of leaving United this summer. 'Will I leave? I don't know, we'll see,' Onana replied when asked about his future at a charity event held in Burkina Faso last week. According to Sky Sport Italy, Monaco have now made an enquiry to United over Onana's availability. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Monaco secured Champions League football for next season after finishing third in Ligue 1, while their general manager, Thiago Scuro, has admitted that signing a new goalkeeper is one of the club's priorities for the summer transfer window. 'We're keeping an eye on the market,' Scuro told La Gazette de Monaco last month. 'Obviously, we've discussed the position of goalkeeper internally, because we know that it was one of our problems this season. 'Our goalkeepers, despite their human and footballing qualities, have made mistakes that are not allowed at our level, so we'll have to start looking for a new keeper.' United, meanwhile, have already considering the prospect of replacing Onana this summer and talks have been held with Carnesecchi's agent, although no approach has been made to Atalanta. Carnesecchi extended his contract with Atalanta earlier this year which runs until 2028 and it's understood that the Italian club, who finished third in Serie A last season, would demand a €50m (£42.7m) fee for the 24-year-old. Speaking earlier this year, Gian Piero Gasperini, who left Atalanta after nine years to become Roma's head coach earlier this month, praised Carnesecchi for his development. 'He is providing extraordinary performances with some decisive saves,' Gasperini said. More Trending 'He is a goalkeeper who has become important, he is always ready, he has certainly been decisive in these last matches. 'He will still improve in his game with his feet, but he has all the numbers.' Carnesecchi has made 76 first-team appearances for Atalanta but is yet to make his senior debut for Italy's national side, although he was in the squad for their two World Cup qualifiers earlier this month. United have also held talks to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, and it's understood that the World Cup winner is open to a move to Ruben Amorim's side. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Liverpool set to launch bid for £70m Arsenal target MORE: Chelsea sent warning over £43million Man Utd and Liverpool transfer target MORE: Arsenal urged to sign 'unfairly treated' £40m Man City star

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal reaches crucial stage with final calls for transfer

Viktor Gyokeres is looking to depart Sporting CP this summer with interest from Arsenal and Juventus amid the striker's row with his current club over the fee for his signature Juventus have reached out to Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres' representatives, in order to better understand the forward's transfer position amid his fallout with his current club. The Swede is top of the Italian side's shortlist as general manager Damien Comolli attempts to sign a striker. Gyokeres is currently in conflict with Sporting and believes the club are reneging on an agreement to sell him for €60million plus €10m in add-ons (£51m plus £8.5m). Instead the Portuguese giants are holding out for €80m (£68m). ‌ Juventus could yet find that Arsenal could prove the biggest obstacle in securing a deal for the goalscorer, who bagged 54 goals in 52 appearances. Gyokeres is currently on holiday amidst the row, but the Gunners are reported to have a basic understanding with Cetinkaya. ‌ The Serie A giants were ready to offer Gyokeres a stunning £11m-per-year deal to try and persuade Gyokeres to head to Turin. However, Corriere dello Sport claim the Italian side have been informed that Gyokeres only wants to join Arsenal this summer. Gyokeres may not yet get his own way however, with the Gunners also eyeing a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The north London side have long targeted the Slovenian forward and look set to act upon that this summer. Sesko is understood to have agreed personal terms with Arsenal, and the Bundesliga side are prepared to sell the forward after missing out on Champions League qualification. But Leipzig are only prepared to part ways if they receive a fee north of £60m. Sesko was linked with a transfer to Arsenal in 2024 as well, only to sign a new contract instead. That deal runs until 2029 as the Gunners attempt to come to an agreement. Mirror Football understands that, of the two strikers, Sesko is Mikel Arteta's preferred option. Arsenal's progress with Sesko could make or break Juventus' move for Gyokeres. As a result, the Old Lady is waiting before moving on to their plan b in case they find themselves in pole position. Juve's back-up is said to be a move for Victor Osimhen. The Nigeria international is expected to departed Napoli this summer after failing to get a permanent move last summer, when he moved on loan to Galatasaray. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.