LONDON • Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that his fierce rivalry with Lionel Messi provides all the motivation he needs to keep striving for even more success.
Real Madrid forward Ronaldo has jousted with Barcelona striker Messi for the La Liga title, the Champions League crown and a host of individual awards since moving to Spain from Manchester United in 2009.
Messi has four La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs in the period following Ronaldo's arrival at the Bernabeu.
The Madrid ace has one Spanish league success and one Champions League triumph.
After Messi won the Ballon d'Or prize given to the world's best player four years in a row, Ronaldo, who also won the award while with United in 2008, managed to turn the tables as he picked up the trophy in 2013 and 2014.
Asked how he felt whenever Messi got the better of him, Ronaldo told BT Sport ahead of the release of his personal portrait film Ronaldo: "I'm always disappointed when I lose, it's normal. I'm not a fake person. I'm not going to hide it when I feel disappointed.
"But... to win three is great, gives me great motivation to work hard and achieve more.
"I want more and more...
"Messi is an unbelievable player and maybe it pushes me more, harder to be better and better.
"But the people who know me, know I'm always like that, I try to be the best professional in my job, I try to be the best all the time."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
