Messi: No rivalry with Ronaldo

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has played down his perceived rivalry with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo as “I don’t compare myself to him or anyone else”.

Messi and Ronaldo have been regarded as the world’s two best players since 2008, with the pair continuing to break records and dominate the FIFA Ballon d’Or podium in that time, but the Argentine has made it clear that he does not see the No 7 as a threat.

“The Press look for comparisons and all this sort of thing,” he told MBC.

“The only thing I want to do is help my team grow each season.

“I don’t compare myself to Cristiano [Ronaldo] or anyone else.

“I just try to think of myself, my teammates and the games ahead.

“[Madrid] have great players. They’ve always had impressive stars and they’re one of the best teams in the world.

“They’re always tough opponents and it’s always difficult for us to win the Spanish League because of them.

“There’s a lot of competition, so we always try to do better [than before].

“I’m a quiet person. I like being with my family. Players are normally far away from home, so we try to seize the moment when we can do things as a family and, sometimes, rest.

“I prefer to stay at home than go out. [On his favourite cuisine], I like the Milanese [breaded meat], roast and pasta. I like normal food, simple food.

“[On his son Thiago becoming a footballer], I won’t force him to play football. He’ll choose what he wants to do or what he likes.”

Tags Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi
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