BARCELONA: Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo by labeling the Portugal star as ‘phenomenal’ and said that both of them are spurred on by each other.
Ronaldo’s double strike last weekend helped Real Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 in Champions League final. He is now considered as the leading contender to win the 2017 Ballon d'Or as he scored 16 goals in the last 10 games for his side as Madrid also sealed a first La Liga title since 2012.
The rival La Liga pair are constantly compared as the best players in the world—and they have monopolised the Ballon d'Or for the last nine years.
The Argentine, however, insisted that perceived rivalry between the duo has been hyped by the media and he was happy to talk up Ronaldo's ability.
"That thing about our rivalry is something more invented by the press than by us," goal.com quoted Messi as saying.
"What we want is to do our best every year, to do the best for our teams and what is spoken from outside is not something I give importance to.”
"He is a phenomenal player who has many qualities that year after year he improves and that is why he is one of the best in the world,” he added.