"Messi And I Are Colleagues, Work Friends," Says Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo talked about his famous rivalry with Lionel Messi, who he respects for "doing his best for his club" Q. After five years at Real Madrid, are you sick of the constant comparison with Messi or have you learned to live with it and take it as part of your life? A. It's part of my life now. People are bound to compare us, like in Formula 1, they make comparisons between Ferrari and Mercedes. It's all part of this and I'm used to it, not only from living in Madrid all these years, it went on in Manchester before, so I know how to deal with it. Q There has been a lot of speculation about the relationship between yourself and Messi being difficult on a personal level. A. It's not like that at all. We're colleagues. We're work friends, so to speak, and so, obviously, we don't have a relationship outside the world of football, just as we don't with a lot of other players. He tries to do his best for his club and for his national team, as I do, and there is a degree of rivalry with both of us trying to do the best for the teams we represent. Q. Do you think you and Messi will end up laughing together about all this in years to come? A. I hope so. Football is a game, a pastime and something we like to do. Football is a great thing that everyone likes to watch. We have to look on this rivalry with a positive spirit, because it's a good thing. Read more: "Messi and I are colleagues, work friends" - MARCA.com