Cristiano Ronaldo spoke of the "healthy" rivalry he has been fostering for several years with Lionel Messi. He added that he "admires much the career" of the Argentine footballer, in an interview broadcast Wednesday by Portuguese television.
"It's a good rivalry"
"I really admire the career he has had so far and for his part, he has already said that he had trouble when I left the Spanish league because it is a rivalry he appreciated, "said the Portuguese player in this interview broadcast by the TVI channel. "It's a good rivalry in football but it's no exception, Michael Jordan had rivals in basketball, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were big rivals in Formula 1, the only thing common to all. the big rivalries in sport are that they are healthy, "added Juventus striker Turin.
"I have never been to dinner with him but why not in the future"
For "CR7", having as a competitor a player of the quality of the captain of FC Barcelona pushes him constantly to outdo himself, he said. "I have no doubt that Messi makes me a better player and vice versa (...) When I win trophies, it must sting and it's the same for me when he wins," said the fivefold Golden Ball.
Asked about his relationship off the field with the one who shares his record of the number of Ballons d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo stressed the respect that reigns between the two men.
"I have an excellent professional relationship with Messi because we've been sharing the same moments for fifteen years (...) I've never been to dinner with him but why not in the future, I would have no problem doing it" said the former Real Madrid player.