Ronaldo and I have no relationship outside football - Lionel Messi

Argentine captain Lionel Messi have hinted that he enjoys no relationship with 'imaginary' competitive rival Cristiano Ronaldo outside of football business. The Camp Nou star does not think he will become friends with Ronaldo once both players retire at the end of their playing careers 

Messi, 30, has revealed that he does not have a relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, and only really speaks to his rival at awards ceremonies. Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has previously claimed that himself and Messi will likely put their on-field rivalry behind them when they finish playing and become friends, but the Barcelona forward is not confident that their future is bright beyond football. 

Messi while speaking to Spanish media Marca about his relationship with Ronaldo said: "I don't know if we will be [friends]," 

"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." 

After helping Madrid win the Champions League with two goals in the final against Juventus, Ronaldo is the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or again this year. It will be the Portugal international's fifth award, equaling Messi's record tally. 

The duo have finished first and second each year since 2008, but Messi believes that their dominance will be broken in the near future as other players challenge them for the crown of the best player in the world. "There are many great players around today who can win the Ballon d'Or," the 30-year-old said. 

"In recent years there have just been two, but now players like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Luis Suarez can compete for that award."