No friendship! Messi on Ronaldo

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Terrassa (Barcelona), November 27: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never been great pals but in reality, the Argentine-Portuguese duo have not been enemies either.

Messi, who last week signed a new four-year deal with Barcelona, suggested that he didn't think he could ever be friends with the Real Madrid striker.

“I don't know if we will be. Friendship is built through spending time together and getting to know each other," Messi, 30, was quoted saying by Spanish website Marca.

"We've 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," Messi added.

Messi and Ronaldo share nine Ballon d'Or awards among themselves.

Ronaldo has been on record saying that he will put his on-field rivalry with Messi behind once they finish their playing career and become friends, but the Barcelona forward is not confident that their future is bright beyond football.

Messi accepted the European Golden Shoe award last week, picking up the trophy for the fourth time, which put him level with Ronaldo.

The trophy is awarded annually to the player who finishes as the top domestic scorer in Europe during the previous season.

"I've improved and built different aspects to my play," he explained after receiving the trophy. “I'm continually enjoying more, being a footballer."

The Argentina international scored 37 times in La Liga last season, which is the lowest since Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo shared the trophy in 2013-14.

"Whenever I'm a substitute it has repercussions because it doesn't normally happen," he said.

"I like to take part in the games but I also understand that the season is long and you need to look after yourself.

It is the fourth time Messi has taken the honours, after his successes in 2010, 2012 and 2013. His tally came from 34 top-flight games and saw him top the charts ahead of Sporting CP’s Bas Dost, who netted 34 in the Primieira Liga, while Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rounded out the top three with 31.

Ronaldo, winner of the award in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015, scored 25 league goals last season and did not make the top five.

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, equalling Messi's record tally.

The duo has 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 Argentinian skipper pointed out.

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