I never saw Messi as a rival – Cristiano Ronaldo

 

The Portuguese star stated this again after Juventus brushed past Barcelona in the Champions League with a superb 3-0 win on Tuesday night, December 8.

 

Ronaldo scored twice as the result ensured Juventus claim the top spot in Group G.

 

While Ronaldo made the headline for a good showing, Messi made 11 shots, including seven on target, but couldn’t score.

 

However, Ronaldo, who shared a brief embrace with Messi before the Tuesday night clash, said there was no rivalry between the two all-time greats.

 

 “I have always had a very cordial relationship with him,” the Juve star told Movistar on Tuesday night.

 

“I shared 12, 13 or 14 years of award ceremonies with him. I never saw him as a rival.

 

“He always tries to do what is best for his team and me too. I always got along very well with him.

 

“But we know that in football, for the press, for the show, a rivalry is sought, but I have always gotten along well with him. I see him as always.”

 

“Barcelona are going through a difficult time, but it is still Barcelona,” Ronaldo added.

 

“The truth is that we are very happy, we knew it was an almost impossible mission, it was a complicated mission and we played well.

 

 “The key was to get into the game well, we scored two early and from there we believed it was possible.”