I’m not Messi’s rival, I’m better than him —C. Ronaldo

CRISTAINO Ronaldo says he does not feel like a rival to Lionel Messi but a better player than the Argentine.

Speaking to reporters in Japan after bagging his fourth FIFA Ballon d’Or on Monday night, Ronaldo says he nurses no ill feeling towards those who might pick Messi ahead of him.

‘’In my head, in my thinking I know I am the best in the world, you might say you choose Messi, no problem with that.’’

He also declared both players are no rivals.

“It is the fans and the media who bring up rivalry story. I am competing for Real Madrid, I’m nobody’s rival.’’

Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or first time as a Manchester United player in 2008 but  regrets the Red Devils are not what they used to be.

“United have not been the same in the last seven years. Players like Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic have gone. Sir Alex has retired. I am not happy with the way things are with the club.”

However, Ronaldo insists he could not be tempted by United neighbours, Manchester City even with all the millions at their disposal.

‘I won’t take Man City because of money. At this stage, I shouldn’t be looking for money again. If I wanted the biggest money, I would have been in Qatar by now.’’