I never saw Messi as my rival – Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo meet again in their champions league group stage game at Nou Camp. Juventus won 3-0. (Photo credit: ESPN)

Cristiano Ronaldo insists that he has a respectable relationship with Lionel Messi and his never drawn into the comparison argument between media practitioners and fans in the wake of their meet up in the champions league after Ronaldo missed the first opportunity with COVID-19 issues.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice at Camp Nou on Tuesday to help Juventus to a 3-0 win and finished at the summit of their UEFA Champions League group.

It was the first-ever time Cristiano Ronaldo was facing Lionel Messi in the Champions League since he joined Real Madrid in 2009.

And it ended with the four-time Balon D'or winner netting twice from the spot, a result that handed Barcelona their first defeat at home in the competition in 38 games.

"I have always had a cordial relationship with Messi," Ronaldo told Movistar after the game. "As I have said before, for 12, 13, 14 years [I have been] sharing prizes with him.

"I never saw him as a rival. He always tried the best for his team, and I tried the best for mine. I always got on well with him. I am sure he will say the same if you ask him.

"But we know in football, people always look for a rivalry to create more excitement."

Ronaldo however went further to throw his weight behind Lionel Messi as a force to reckon with despite the ominous signs at Barcelona; with the 3-0 defeat to Juventus coming after a shock league defeat to Cadiz but Messi, who had the entire seven shots on target that Barcelona managed isn’t on a decline.

"Messi is the same as ever [on the pitch]," he said. "Barcelona are in a difficult moment, but they are still Barca. I am sure they will come out of it. All teams have bad runs, but Barcelona are a very good team."