Lisbon, August 22: Cristiano Ronaldo admitted on Wednesday his long-time rivalry with Lionel Messi has made him "a better player" and that he enjoys a "healthy" rivalry with the Argentine great. However, Portuguese star Ronaldo, whose influence at Real Madrid mirrored that of Messi at Barcelona before he left for Juventus, admitted that the pair have never socialised together."I really admire the career he has had and from his side, he has already talked of the disappointment when I left Spain because it was a rivalry that he appreciated," Ronaldo told TVI in Portugal. Paulo Dybala ‘LIKES’ the Tweet Slamming Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It's a good rivalry but it's not unique Michael Jordan had rivalries in basketball, there was Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in Formula 1. The thing they all had in common is that they were healthy rivalries." Ronaldo and Messi have won the coveted Ballon d'Or five times each, a factor that helps each player flourish."I have no doubt that Messi has made me a better player and vice-versa. When I am winning trophies it must sting him and it's the same for me when he wins," he said. Lionel Messi Injury Latest News Update: A Fit Argentine Set for Barcelona Return Against Real Betis.

"I have an excellent professional relationship because we have been sharing the same moments for 15 years.He added: "We've never had dinner together but I don't see why we can't in the future. I don't see a problem with that."

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)