Although they have not been named European Footballer of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have proudly talked about their decade-and-a-half rivalry.
The two players, who hold the record as the most winning player in the world 's best Golden Ball (five times each), have dimmed the rivalry between them after the departure of "Madeira" former Real Madrid' s top scorer to Juventus and the "Bulga" stay Blaugrana in La Liga.
"I was curious because we shared the top spot in football 15 years ago," he said in an interview with Messi.
"It's not easy, but of course we have a good relationship," he said before announcing the winner of the award, which was won by Virgil van Dyke.
"I miss playing in Spain. Messi and I have been in a great football battle," Ronaldo said. "We pushed each other to be better.
Messi, in turn, admitted missing Ronaldo in the same tournament. "It was nice to have Cristiano in La Liga, especially at Real Madrid.