Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi picture special: Old foes are all smiles as they go to battle for Argentina vs Portugal at Old Trafford

  • Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi met for the 27th time at Old Trafford on Tuesday night
  • Portugal's captain Ronaldo went head-to-head with Argentina's skipper Messi in Manchester in a friendly
  • Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Barcelona's Messi exchanged pleasantries and captain's gifts before the game
  • Neither scored, however, as Raphael Guerreiro netted the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Portugal 

By Chris Waugh for MailOnline

Published: 15:46 EST, 18 November 2014 | Updated: 06:11 EST, 19 November 2014

ARGENTINA 0-1 PORTUGAL 

CLICK HERE to read Joe Bernstein's match report from Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi round 27 occurred at Old Trafford on Tuesday night as Portugal beat Argentina 1-0 in an international friendly.

The world's two finest footballers were the star attractions in Manchester and embraced before the match - both in the tunnel and out on the pitch -perhaps in response to recent reports of tension between the pair.

Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Barcelona's Messi exchanged a bit of a smile and a joke during the game itself. Neither scored, however, and both were taken off at half-time, leaving some fans feeling short-changed. Raphael Guerreiro netted the game's only goal in added time to give Portugal victory.

Here, Sportsmail runs you through the best pictures of the pair from the Old Trafford clash. 

 
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) of Portugal and Lionel Messi of Argentina (right) line up against one another at Old Trafford on Tuesday

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) of Portugal and Lionel Messi of Argentina (right) line up against one another at Old Trafford on Tuesday

Messi (left) looks on during the international friendly at Old Trafford as Ronaldo faces the other way

Messi (left) looks on during the international friendly at Old Trafford as Ronaldo faces the other way

Ronaldo (left) and Messi (right) were both playing during Portugal's friendly with Argentina at Old Trafford on Tuesday

Ronaldo (left) and Messi (right) were both playing during Portugal's friendly with Argentina at Old Trafford on Tuesday

Messi advances forward with the ball for Argentina as Portugal's Ronaldo (right) jogs behind at Old Trafford

Messi advances forward with the ball for Argentina as Portugal's Ronaldo (right) jogs behind at Old Trafford

Ronaldo (right) takes a look around to see who is there for Portugal as Argentina's Messi walks towards him in the foreground

Ronaldo (right) takes a look around to see who is there for Portugal as Argentina's Messi walks towards him in the foreground

Ronaldo and Messi acknowledge one another as opposition skippers before the game as referee Martin Atkinson (centre) looks on

Ronaldo and Messi acknowledge one another as opposition skippers before the game as referee Martin Atkinson (centre) looks on

Messi turns his back and looks around during the match
Ronaldo (right) sticks his arm out and gestures to a team-mate

Messi turns his back and looks around during the match while Ronaldo (right) sticks his arm out and gestures to a team-mate

Ronaldo (left) and Messi shake before the match at Old Trafford as the teams walk by one another in the centre of the pitch

Ronaldo (left) and Messi shake before the match at Old Trafford as the teams walk by one another in the centre of the pitch

Ronaldo walks along the Argentina line embracing the opposition players as Messi (right) waits to receive another Portugal star

Ronaldo walks along the Argentina line embracing the opposition players as Messi (right) waits to receive another Portugal star

Both Messi (left) and Ronaldo put their fingers to their noses and exchange a word during the friendly at Old Trafford

Both Messi (left) and Ronaldo put their fingers to their noses and exchange a word during the friendly at Old Trafford

The Argentina star (left) and the Portuguese forward enjoy a joke and exchange some words during the match on Tuesday

The Argentina star (left) and the Portuguese forward enjoy a joke and exchange some words during the match on Tuesday

Commemorative scarves were being sold outside Old Trafford before the game
The players before the match

Commemorative scarves were being sold outside Old Trafford before the game (left), and the players before the match

An Argentina supporter holds his Messi vs Ronaldo scarf above his head outside Old Trafford before the game

An Argentina supporter holds his Messi vs Ronaldo scarf above his head outside Old Trafford before the game

A fan in the crowd holds up a sign bearing the words 'Welcome home Ronnie' in reference to Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford

A fan in the crowd holds up a sign bearing the words 'Welcome home Ronnie' in reference to Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford

Ronaldo (second right) jumps up for a header in order to clear the ball from a corner at Old Trafford on Tuesday

Ronaldo (second right) jumps up for a header in order to clear the ball from a corner at Old Trafford on Tuesday

The Portugal captain (left) is shunted off the ball by Nicolas Otamendi (centre) of Argentina

The Portugal captain (left) is shunted off the ball by Nicolas Otamendi (centre) of Argentina

Ronaldo advances with the ball for Portugal during the international friendly on his former stomping ground

Ronaldo advances with the ball for Portugal during the international friendly on his former stomping ground