Messi doubts he’ll ever be friends with Ronaldo

Barcelona star Lionel Messi doubts he will ever be close friends with Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The pair have sat at the top of the footballing world for nearly a decade with fans naturally jumping at any chance to exaggerate a sense of animosity between them.

The two figureheads have never shown disdain for one another but have also never had a relationship outside of the many matches and award ceremonies they have been a part of.
And Messi cannot see that changing any time soon.

'I don't know if we will be (friends in the future),' Messi told World Soccer magazine.

'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 very often.'

Two of the most decorated players in the history of the game, Messi and Ronaldo both have five Ballon d'Ors each to their name.

Ronaldo has won football's biggest individual prize in four of the past five seasons but will have to have a sensational end to the season if he is to prevent Messi claiming his sixth.

The Argentine has contributed 27 goals and 14 assists in 36 appearances so far this term, helping league leaders Barca to remain undefeated 23 games in the La Liga campaign.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has managed 23 goals and five assists in 28 appearances for Madrid who find themselves 17 points behind their great rivals.