Juventus star player Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he admires the healthy rivalry between him and Barcelona star Lionel Messi whom he says has made him a better player.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, the Portuguese said:
“I really admire the career he has had and from his side, he has already talked of the disappointment when I left Spain because it was a rivalry that he appreciated,” Ronaldo told TVI in Portugal.
“It’s a good rivalry but it’s not unique — Michael Jordan had rivalries in basketball, there was Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in Formula 1. The thing they all had in common is that they were healthy rivalries.”
Ronaldo and Messi are the highest winners of the coveted Ballon d’Or with each player winning it five times.
“I have no doubt that Messi has made me a better player and vice-versa. When I am winning trophies it must sting him and it’s the same for me when he wins,” he said.
“I have an excellent professional relationship because we have been sharing the same moments for 15 years.
He added: “We’ve never had dinner together but I don’t see why we can’t in the future. I don’t see a problem with that.”