For as long as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are in competition their relationship will be marked by their battle for the same space, that small, distant space in which the truly greats live. But how do they get on? What do they say to each other when they meet? And when they are not in the spotlight?

At the 2013 Ballon d’Or gala, Ruud Gullit thought he noticed "a strange relationship between Cristiano and Messi; they barely say hello to one another". The relationship, in the presence of others, is cold. It is not bad; it is respectful but distant. They do not hate each other, as some people might believe, say the families of both. Conversation does not usually go beyond "hello, how are you, everything okay?" At public events, Messi is always surrounded by his own crew, or with Xavi and Iniesta, whereas Ronaldo usually shows up on his own, even though mixing with people he does not know intimidates him.