Lionel Messi has dismissed talk of bad blood between him and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he respects the Real Madrid man.
The attackers, both Ballon d'Or winners, are the subject of frequent media debate about which is the best.
But Barcelona's Messi insists any suggestion that they are at loggerheads is down to reporters who "want to believe there's a constant duel between the two of us".
Messi scored as Argentina defeated Germany in a friendly on Wednesday, with Ronaldo doing the same as Portugal beat Panama.
And Messi said: "I respect him, but I have no relationship with him - as I don't with a lot of other footballers.
"I have relationships with my Barcelona club-mates and with the international squad, Argentine players who I've got to know well over the years.
"There's never been any kind of anger toward Cristiano. It's all made up by the press who want to believe there's a constant duel between the two of us - but I don't compete with Cristiano, nor does he with me.
"I just want to do my job, I want things to go well, and I want to keep winning trophies with the national side and with Barcelona."
Ronaldo, in a recent interview, expressed similar sentiments, saying he did not consider Messi to be a rival.
