Messi ‘made me a better player’, says Ronaldo
LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo admitted on Wednesday his long-time rivalry with Lionel Messi has made him “a better player” and that he enjoys a “healthy” rivalry with the Argentine great.
However, Portuguese star Ronaldo, whose influence at Real Madrid mirrored that of Messi at Barcelona before he left for Juventus, admitted that the pair have never socialised together.
“I really admire the career he 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 told TVI in Portugal.
“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.”
Ronaldo and Messi have won the coveted Ballon d’Or five times each, a factor that helps each player flourish. “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,” he said.
“I have an excellent professional relationship because we have been sharing the same moments for 15 years.
He added: “We’ve never had dinner together but I don’t see why we can’t in the future. I don’t see a problem with that.”
‘2018, THE WORST YEAR’
Ronaldo says the rape allegation against him was an attack on his honour and led to one of the worst years of his life.
Ronaldo was accused of raping a woman in Las Vegas more than 10 years ago but won’t face criminal charges after it was determined the investigation failed to show the claim could be proven at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ronaldo has told Portuguese television TVI that “2018 was probably my worst year ever, personally speaking.”
He said that “when people question your honour, it hurts, it hurts a lot.”
The Juventus player did not directly talk about the 2009 accusation brought on by Kathryn Mayorga, an American who in a separate lawsuit says she was pressured to sign an agreement to keep quiet in exchange for $375,000.
The 34-year-old Ronaldo said he was not “comfortable speaking” about the case, “but when people attack your honour, it is difficult.”
He said he was thankful and proud that “once again” his innocence was proven.
AP generally does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault. Mayorga gave consent through her lawyers to be named.