‘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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Lionel Messi breaks silence on friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo; Inter Miami star says ‘we're not friends, we don't…'
Lionel Messi holds a special mutual respect for one-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo but the Argentinean isn't 'friends' with the Portuguese talisman. Two of the best footballers in modern-day game, the Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry started around 2010 when the duo headlined the Spanish La Liga for Real Madrid and Barcelona. While Messi graduated into the senior Barcelona side through the La Masia academy, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2010 to enthrall the fans around the world for the next decade. Now at the fag end of their careers, Messi and Ronaldo do not play for any top clubs but USA's Inter Miami and Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr respectively. There has been a several debates as to who among Messi and Ronaldo is the best. While the opinions were didvided, both Ronaldo and Messi had always shared a mutual respect for each other. "I hold a deep respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and everything he has achieved in his career, and continues to achieve, as he's still performing at an elite level," Messi told D Sports after Inter Miami's win over Porto in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup 2025. "Our rivalry was purely on the pitch, driven by our desire to give everything for our respective teams. Off the field, we're just ordinary people. While we're not friends in the traditional sense, as we don't socialize, there has always been mutual respect between us," he added.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
FIFA Club World Cup: Messi's free kick hands Inter Miami 2-1 win over Porto
Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the expanded Club World Cup on an exquisite free kick, lifting Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over two-time European champion Porto. The Herons trailed 1-0 at the break, but Telasco Segovia tied it two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from Marcelo Weigandt. Then it was time for the 37-year-old Argentinian to add a trademark goal to a resume that already assures he'll go down as one of the game's greatest stars. Samu Omorodion scored on a penalty kick in the opening minutes after a video review for the Portuguese club's first goal of the tournament. Both teams were held to scoreless draws in their opening Group A matches. Key moment Messi was taken down just outside the penalty area by Rodrigo Mora on a run down the middle of the field. The crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was chanting "Messi!" Messi! Messi!" before his left-footed blast cleared the Porto wall and ripped the net in the top right corner in the 54th minute. Takeaways Inter Miami returns to South Florida on Monday, knowing a victory over Brazilian club Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium will lock up its spot in the Round of 16. In desperate need of a win, Porto closes out group play against Egypt's Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. What they said"(Messi) is the player that leads us in the ways we have to compete. His hunger, his resilience, his will to go on competing, at whatever level that may be. In football terms, what else can I add? "He's the best player ever to play this sport. But his determination to win is always surprising. Even in the last minutes, when everyone is tired, he continued to support the team in any way he could," said Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. "What can I say about Messi? I'm not going to say anything that's new. You know what he's capable of on the pitch," Porto coach Martn Anselmi said.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Oakley and Meta unveil AI-powered smart glasses for Athletes with built-in camera: Price, availability and more
Oakley has teamed up with Meta to launch a new line of AI-powered smart glasses aimed at athletes and sports fans. The Oakley Meta HSTN (pronounced 'HOW-stuhn') blends Oakley's signature design with Meta's wearable tech, offering hands-free camera use, open-ear audio, and integrated AI assistance. Set to debut in a global campaign featuring footballer Kylian Mbappé and American football quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the glasses mark an expansion of Meta's existing partnership with eyewear conglomerate EssilorLuxottica. You may be interested in The Oakley Meta HSTN is the first in a line of products under the new collaboration. Based on the existing HSTN frame style, this smart wearable includes an Ultra HD (3K) video camera and open-ear speakers. It also carries an IPX4 water resistance rating, making it suitable for outdoor and active use. Meta claims that the battery performance has been prioritised, with up to eight hours of use and 19 hours on standby. A 20-minute charge can power the device up to 50 per cent, and the charging case offers an additional 48 hours of battery life, added the tech giant. Meta's voice-controlled assistant is built into the device, allowing users to perform functions such as checking wind conditions during golf or recording moments on a skateboard with simple voice prompts. Meta is positioning the device as a tool for enhancing physical performance and content creation in equal measure. Preorders for the Limited-Edition Oakley Meta HSTN begin on 11 July at $499 USD (nearly ₹ 43,204), while a broader collection starting at $399 USD (nearly ₹ 34,546) is expected later this summer. The launch will initially cover the US, UK, Canada, Australia, several European countries, and Nordic nations. Markets such as India, Mexico, and the UAE are expected to follow before the end of the year. Oakley Meta HSTN will make its public debut at Fanatics Fest from 20 to 22 June, and at UFC International Fight Week from 25 to 27 June.
