Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's rivalry has dominated football for many years, but the pair, despite the intense competition between them, have always respected each other. With 12 Ballon d'Or awards between them - and countless club trophies - they are, according to many, the two greatest players in history.
During their respective careers, Ronaldo and Messi have come head-to-head on 36 occasions. The former has recorded 11 victories, while the latter has been on the winning side 16 times. The Portuguese star has registered 20 goals, and the Argentine ace has managed 21. The pair, by their own admissions, are not friends, but they have each played an important role in their opponent's career.
While they have often been quizzed on the form of their 'rival', the two players have rarely been seen together, and don't often talk about each other. However, during Ronaldo's controversial interview with Piers Morgan, the Manchester United attacker opened up on his relationship with Messi.
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"Amazing player is magic, top… As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years. We share. So, I have great relationship with him," Ronaldo said about the Paris Saint-German forward.
"I'm not friend of him in terms of, what I mean friend is the guy who was with you in your house, speaking on the phone, no, but it's like a teammate.
"He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speak about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they always respect and they're from Argentina. My girlfriend is from Argentina. So good.
"What I am going to say about Messi? A great guy who does great things for football."
Messi has not yet responded to Ronaldo's most recent comments, and it remains to be seen if he even will. However, when the Portugal star's return to United was confirmed last year, the Argentine great - speaking in the aftermath of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked - praised Ronaldo, as well as the Reds.
"United are a very strong team with great players. Cristiano already knew the club, but that was at another stage and now he has adapted in an impressive way," he told Marca.
"From the beginning, he has scored goals as always and had no problems adapting. In the Premier League, it is not as good as we all thought, but it is a very difficult and even competition in which things take a lot of turns.
"After December it changes a lot and anything can happen."
The 35-year-old was also asked whether he missed competing against Ronaldo on a regular basis. Messi insisted that it was a 'beautiful stage' in their careers, and one that will remain in football forever.
He added: "It's been a long time since we stopped competing in the same league. We competed individually and as a team for the same goals.
"It was a very beautiful stage for us and also for the people because they enjoyed it very much. It is a beautiful memory that will remain in the history of football."
There is a chance that Messi and Ronaldo will come head-to-head once again at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Should Argentina and Portugal both progress to the knockout rounds, supporters could potentially witness the great rivalry for - most likely - one last time. It is set to be the final World Cup that both players will be involved in.
Away from the international stage, Ronaldo looks unlikely to return to Old Trafford following his explosive interview, with United set to consider terminating his contract. The Reds are currently considering taking legal action against the 37-year-old for a possible breach of contract, which could then result in his current deal being terminated.
While Ronaldo is almost certain to leave the club in the new year, it remains to be seen where he will end up. One of the clubs touted as a potential destination for the veteran frontman is Messi's current employers, PSG.
The French giants have been linked with a move for the forward in recent transfer windows, but it appears unlikely that Ronaldo will make the move to Paris. It would certainly take the football world a bit of time to get used to seeing Messi and Ronaldo in the same shirt.
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