Lionel Messi has previously admitted he'd like to call Cristiano Ronaldo a team-mate, but as the 37-year-old former Manchester United star heads to Saudi Arabia, that day isn't likely to come any time soon.
The duo have pitted their wits against one another for the best part of two decades and created one of sport's greatest rivalries in the process. With 12 Ballons d'Or' between them, Messi and Ronaldo are widely regarded as two of the best players of all time.
With that in mind, it has long been a dream of many to see the pair line up on the same side at club level - and it would appear Messi is no different. In 2015, while the two of them were dominating La Liga - Messi at Barcelona and Ronaldo at Real Madrid - the recently-crowned world champion conceded he'd like to play on the same team as his rival.
"Yes, of course," he said when pressed for comment on the subject. "I always like to play with the best, and he is one of them. I think it will be difficult for us to play in the same team, but obviously I would like to. I was lucky enough to play and participate with many very good players and, obviously, I would also like to do it with him."
With Messi plying his trade in the French capital at Paris Saint-Germain, there were recently rumours that the two could at long last share a dressing room. Those in charge at the Parc des Princes are one of the few groups who could actually afford having Messi and Ronaldo on the same wage bill.
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The Portugal captain burned bridges at Manchester United and has since had his Old Trafford exit confirmed just before the start of his World Cup campaign.
As a result, he is on the prowl for a new home, but it does not look as if it will be one he'll be sharing with Messi. PSG, much like just about every other major European footballing powerhouse, have shown no recent interest in signing Ronaldo.
In turn, it looks as if the 37-year-old has come to terms with the fact the only strong interest came from Saudi Arabia, with Al Nassr the club on course to land the ex-Real Madrid sensation's signature.
Ronaldo is set to pen a two-and-a-half year deal before moving into an ambassadorial role which could promise even higher wages. For his efforts on the pitch, the proposed pay packet is believed to be £175million a year, blowing the £26m a year he was on at United out of the water.
Remarkably, according to Forbes' recent list, it was Messi who enjoyed the status of 2022's highest-paid athlete with £62m, but that falls more than £100m short of the money Ronaldo will be earning at Al Nassr.
There is a slim chance the pair could still unite one day, with Messi recently agreeing to promote Saudi Arabia as they aim to follow in Qatar's footsteps and host the 2030 World Cup.
Should the nation play host to a club that boasts Ronaldo and Messi within their ranks, it certainly wouldn't do their World Cup bid any harm in the eyes of governing body FIFA.
Messi is reportedly on the verge of signing a one-year extension in Paris to tie him down at the Ligue 1 titans until 2024, which would still give him a brief window to potentially join forces with his great rival Ronaldo in his late thirties.
