Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that his on-field rivalry with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi motivates him to improve his all-round game.

The Real Madrid star was officially crowned as the world's best player for the third time when he was handed the Ballon d'Or last week, meaning that the pair have shared the last seven awards.

Far from seeing Messi as a negative force, Ronaldo relishes the challenge provided by his Argentine rival.

"I'm sure that the competition between us is a motivating factor for him too," he is quoted as saying by Spanish publication AS. "It's good for me, for him and for other players who are keen to grow.

"Messi has four Ballon d'Or awards, I have three. This is all good for the world of football."

Ronaldo's Madrid side currently lead Messi's Barcelona by a single point at the top of La Liga.

Written by
Daniel Lewis