Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has reflected on the endless comparisons made between himself and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.
The duo have been in direct competition for the Pichichi title for the past three seasons and have competed on a wider scale for the Ballon d’Or award in each of the last four years, with Ronaldo winning in 2008 and Messi in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Heading into 2012’s edition with both tipped to compete for the award once more and with the pair competing again at the top of the scoring charts in Spain, Ronaldo reflected today on the countless opportunities many take to compare him with Messi.
“It is not just now, they have been for the last five years. What can I do? I cannot change that history.” He told beIN Sport.
“I do not work in the Press or on the television, I cannot control it. But they love doing that.
“I have only my job to do, to keep training and give my team the best of me. And I do not worry about what they say about Messi.
“He is a great player, but we only have a professional relationship. I’m not his friend because we do not share the same dressing room, we do not go out to eat together.
“I respect him as a professional, but we are not friends. We are colleagues and nothing more.”
The Portuguese was asked of the possibility of one day playing with him.
“If he comes here then I can play with him. But that would be very difficult.”
