Now that they will never play together again, Cristiano revealed what he thinks of Messi

Lionel Messi has established himself in a big way ahead of his MLS debut with Inter Miami. The Argentine striker is already close to play for the first time with the Florida club, but now, one of his great historical rivals as Cristiano Ronaldo, confesses what the player really thinks of Lionel Messi.

In the famous interview with Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo confessed what his sporting rivalry with Messi really was. "Incredible player... Magic, top... We shared stage for 16 years, imagine, 16 years. So, I have a great relationship with him. I'm not friends with him in terms of, what I mean, friend, the guy who was with you at your house, talking on the phone, no, but he's like a teammate.

"He's a guy I have a lot of respect for the way he always talks about me. Even his wife or my wife, my girlfriend, they respect each other and they're both from Argentina. Very good." Now, both would already be in the final stage of their careers and enjoying a league certainly away from the spotlight heading into next season.

When does Lionel Messi make his debut in Miami?

According to the Florida club, Messi's debut in the Inter Miami jersey is scheduled for July 21, when the team coached by Gerardo "Tata" Martino plays against Cruz Azul of Mexico in the Leagues Cup, a month-long tournament in which all MLS and Mexican league teams will compete.