They vibrated an entire generation, embodying the most iconic duel in the modern era. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, eternal rivals, have trussed all records, sharing golden balloons, historical goals and legendary evenings between the Liga, the Champions League and the Clasicos. However, beyond this epic rivalry, a question was constantly coming back: are these two world football monsters friends, do they really respect each other? It was not until 2025 that Messi delivered, without detour, his truth about this ambiguous relationship, far from the usual clichés.
Messi breaks myth: “We are not friends”
In an interview with DSports, Lionel Messi surprised everyone by saying: “We are not friends. A direct declaration, almost cold, which contrasts with the image of a respectful rivalry maintained for more than a decade. Argentinian specifies that there is no animosity: ” I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, for the career he led and continues to lead, because he always evolves at the highest level.Messi explains that their relationship has always been limited to the green rectangle, each player seeking to enhance his team without ever crossing the barrier of privacy.“Outside the field, we are two normal people. We are not friends of course because we do not spend time together, but we have always respected ourselves. »»
If the paths of Messi and Ronaldo have long crossed in Spain, everyone now embodies another page of world football. Messi shines in MLS with Inter Miami, while Ronaldo continues his challenge in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr. Despite the calls of the foot of certain fans dreaming of a final duo before their retirement, the two giants never followed up on this idea, preferring to write their own legend in now parallel universes.
Two courses, two now distant trajectories
This declaration puts an end to a form of fantasy around a possible secret friendship. Mutual respect remains, but the border between admiration and privacy has never been crossed. Their confrontations, always epic, have remained in history as simple sporting jousts, without ever overflowing on a personal level.
Between them, they accumulate 13 gold balloons and have rewritten all the game statistics. Now, Ronaldo aims for 1,000 career goals, Messi soon celebrates his 38th birthday and continues to impress. Their rivalry, as spectacular as it is angry, closes on a cold truth: respect is there, friendship has never had its place there. But it is also what made the strength and purity of their duel.
