Cristiano Ronaldo has aimed to finally put the comparisons between himself and long-term rival Lionel Messi to bed by claiming the two have a normal, respectful relationship.
Speaking toChinese newspaper Dongiudi, viaSport, Ronaldo moved to ensure that both players are naturally going to be compared because they are each seen as the two best players of a generation of footballers - playing for two iconic rivals in the Spanish league - but that they are each unaffected by the comparisons.
Both players have won a hatful of major trophies, with each boasting multiple Champions League titles, and the two have been fighting it out for the Ballon d'Or for the best part of a decade. However, Ronaldo went on to attempt to settle the score for good with his latest comments, claiming there's no fight between the two.
He said:"For me, this fight doesn't exist. You can't compare players. Cristiano is Cristiano and Messi is Messi. The two are great players, individually and on a collective level.
"We play in different clubs, but when we are together we respect each other, I have a normal relationship with him.
"People are constantly comparing us but that's normal. They even compare our children, how they grow, what they do at school, up to who is faster."
Ronaldo enjoyed a very successful 2016, earning another Champions League crown with Real Madrid and winning Euro 2016 with Portugal, while he scooped both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA's newly introduced Best Player award.
Messi meanwhile secured his eighth La Liga title at the end of last season, while also winning the Copa del Rey.
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