Lionel Messi wants trophies, not records, and insists his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo is professional, not personal.
Messi has been interviewed for the March edition of El Grafico and discussed a number of subjects, starting with his Barcelona colleagues Luis Suarez and Neymar.
“The truth is we have a very good relationship on and off the pitch. We get along really well,” he said.
“We try to work for the team and it’s good we all feel important. Trust is best for that. Perhaps all being South American helps but we are professionals.
“When we represent our national teams it changes, but there’s no rivalry or confrontation.
“Cristiano? We’re professionals who defend our teams. We’re professional rivals and that’s the height of it, nothing more than that.
“Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. There’s always been great respect.”
It was put to Messi that he’s approaching Gabriel Batistuta’s record of international goals for Argentina, but Messi would rather have an international trophy.
“I’d prefer to win something important with the national team, even with a goal against the opponent,” he said.
“I’m not interested in records, although they’re there, but they don’t make you win trophies.”
