Cristiano Ronaldo praises Lionel Messi for making him “a better player”

Cristiano Ronaldo has heaped praised on his rival Lionel Messi. Both players have won Ballon d’Or on five occasions - a record highest - and dominated the award between 2008-2017. Despite the continuing debate over who is the greatest, Ronaldo has admitted they would not be the same without each other. Speaking to TV1 , Ronaldo said: "I have no doubt that Messi has made me a better player and vice-versa. When I am winning trophies it must sting him and it's the same for me when he wins." "I really admire the career he [Messi] has had and from his side, he has already talked of the disappointment when I left Spain because it was a rivalry that he appreciated." Ronaldo said.“It's a good rivalry but it's not unique -- Michael Jordan had rivalries in basketball, there was Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in Formula 1. The thing they all had in common is that they were healthy rivalries."

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