Argentina and Barcelona superstar forward Lionel Messi has revealed the real state of his relationship with long time rival Cristiano Ronaldo. According to the iconic No 10,who many see as the best footballer in the history of the game ahead of Pele and Maradona, there is no chance him and Ronaldo will become friends even after both players retire at the end of their playing careers
Messi, who is currently Barcelona and the Spanish Primera La Liga top scorer of all time, in a rare and revealing interview with Spanish media outlet Marca stated emphatically that he does not have a relationship with Madrid’s iconic number seven and top scorer of all time-Cristiano Ronaldo. According to Messi, the pair only really get to speak when they are together at award ceremonies.
Real Madrid star Ronaldo, who has endured a bad run of form this season, had previously claimed that himself and Messi will put their on-field rivalry behind them when they finish playing and become friends, but the Barcelona forward does not share his confidence that their future is bright beyond football.
“I don’t know if we will be [friends],” Messi responded when asked by Marca . “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.”
Messi and Ronaldo have enjoyed a decade long duopoly over football’s biggest individual prizes. Since 2008, when Ronaldo then at Manchester United pipped Messi to football best player award, the pair have either won or finished runners up at the Ballon d’or. And this season doesn’t seem to be any different as following an epic end to the 2016/17 season in which Ronaldo almost single handedly gifted Madrid the Champions League trophy chipping in with two goals in the final against Juventus, the Madeira born forward and wealthiest athlete in the world is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for a fifth time and twice consecutively. Victory for Ronaldo will mean him and Messi now share the record for highest Balloon D’or won.
Messi was recently presented with the European Golden Shoe award which is presented to the player who finishes as the top domestic scorer in Europe during the past season.This marked the fourth time the forward has picked up the trophy ,which put him level with Ronaldo.
The Argentina international scored 37 times in La Liga last season, a goal return that was unmatched across Europe with Sporting CP of Portugal forward Bas Dost emerging second with 34 goals. Messi’s tally ensured he dethroned Cristiano Ronaldo who had shared the trophy in 2013-14 with Barcelona forward Luis Suarez. The pair had scored 40 league goals a piece in that season.