For years they've been deemed as fierce rivals - but underneath the constant battle to come out on top, the respect between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is clear to see.
The two superstars share 12 Ballon d'Or awards between them, and a host of trophies including nine Champions League titles. When you take a look at their goalscoring records, the figures defy belief.
But having rarely been seen together, it's been difficult to paint a picture of how each forward feels about his adversary, though Ronaldo gave a telling insight as he lifted the lid on his relationship with Messi during his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan this week.
“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.
"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.”
The feeling is certainly mutual, with Messi having already given his thoughts on Ronaldo following the Portuguese striker's return to Manchester United last year. Speaking in the aftermath of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked, Messi told Marca : "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.
"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."
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On whether he misses competing against Ronaldo on a regular basis, 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."
Both players could yet meet each other next month at the World Cup should fate have it if Argentina and Portugal both progress to the knockout rounds. The tournament in Qatar is set to be the final World Cup that both Ronaldo and Messi will each be involved in.
Ronaldo's future is looking uncertain beyond Qatar, with his situation at United becoming more untenable by the day amidst the fallout of his explosive chat with Morgan. United issued a statement on Thursday declaring they had begun the process of taking action against Ronaldo, with the club looking to sue and sack him over his comments in the interview.
Whatever happens at the World Cup, Ronaldo is almost certain to be moving on in the new year, though his next destination is still unclear. Only a handful of clubs could afford to cater for his wage demands on their budget - one of those being Messi's employers Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG were linked previously with Ronaldo, though have never made any indication they are open to signing the 37-year-old, and it is unlikely they will look to do so in January. However, should Ronaldo become available on a free transfer, that may well bring more offers to the table, while David Beckham's MLS outfit Inter Miami are reported to be keen on signing both players.
Asked about the chances of him ever playing alongside Messi, Ronaldo joked the pair would definitely sell a lot of shirts. Messi discussed the prospect of a partnership some time ago back in 2015, insisting he would love to be Ronaldo's team-mate, but doubted if it would ever happen.
“Yes, of course," he said when quizzed 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."
