Cristiano Ronaldo credits Lionel Messi for his successful career

New Delhi : Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday admitted that Lionel Messi is the one who made him a better player and he has a healthy rivalry with the Argentina star player.

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.

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.

“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.”

In the same conversation, Ronaldo also dropped hints over retirement and said that he may hang his boots by next year.

Ronaldo, who signed for Italian giants Juventus last year and guided them to the Serie A title, is currently one of the most celebrated footballers in the world and his rivalry with Argentina’s Lionel Messi has achieved legendary status.