Ronaldo: Rivalry with Leo Messi is a part of my life

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has decribed his rivalry with Barcelona superstar Leo Messi as positive.

Their impact on world football is so huge that no player outside these two have won the best footballer in the world warad, the Ballon d’Or in the past six years.

A few days ago, the Argentine had stated that he is not interested in an invidual rivalry with anyone.

“This is part of my life,” Ronaldo said when asked about his rivalry with Messi.

“It is normal that people compare us. I am used to it. It happened to me at Manchester United and I know how to manage it.

“We are football colleagues. Outside of football I have no relationship with Messi, but not with other players either. It is a positive rivalry.”

Despite having won individual accolades this year (Ballon d'Or and the European Golden Boot.) which have outshined even the Argentine, Ronaldo is more focussed on the titles his team has won. He said that 2014 may be his best award-wise but his level has been the same for the past 7 years.

“Individual prizes are the result of having achieved collective objectives,” Ronaldo added. “We had a fantastic season. We won the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and the Uefa Super Cup.

“A trophy like the Golden Boot is the prize for playing well as a team. I will not lie. I really wanted to win it.

“Maybe it has been the best for collective or individual prizes. But I have been at the same level for the last six or seven years.”

Ronaldo and Messi are set to renew their rivalry on the field during the first El Clasico of the season on October 25th and off the field when the Ballon d’Or nominations are announced three days later. The two will meet on the field yet again next month but in national colours during a friendly at Old Trafford.