Lionel Messi has spoken honestly about his long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, admitting they’re not close friends but share a strong mutual respect. In a recent interview with DSports, the Argentine star explained that although they don’t spend time together off the pitch, there has never been any personal friction between them.
Messi acknowledged that their battles during their years in La Liga pushed them both to be better players.
“We’ve had incredible competitions, especially when I was at Barcelona and he was at Real Madrid,” Messi said.
“That rivalry stayed on the field. Away from it, we’re just two professionals who appreciate what the other has achieved.”
He added that, despite not being close personally, he has a lot of admiration for Ronaldo and everything he’s accomplished. “He’s been at the top level for so long — that deserves a lot of credit,” Messi said. “We don’t hang out like friends, but every time we meet, it’s with respect and appreciation.”
This is not the first time one of them has opened up about the other. Ronaldo himself recently spoke of the respect he holds for Messi.
“I have affection for him,” Ronaldo said in a press conference last month. “We were rivals for a long time, but I’ve always respected him as a player and as a person.”
Both superstars continue to shine in their careers — Messi with Inter Miami in the United States and Ronaldo at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia — and their legacy remains unmatched. Even though their paths rarely cross these days, one thing is clear: they will always recognize each other as worthy rivals who shaped an unforgettable era of football.
