With Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the two favorites for the election of the FIFA Ballon d’Or. And for the first time, the Portuguese speaks on the duel with Barcelona’s Argentinian that fascinates the world of football.

Cristiano Ronaldo tells us about his arch-rival Lionel Messi.

In the build-up of the election the FIFA Ballon d’Or , Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted to give a long interview to the famous French newspapers France Football. Yesterday, the bi-weekly already unveiled the first excerpts from this lengthy interview with the Paris Saint-Germain  rumor as its main subject. Today, we change subject. Interrogated for nearly half an hour, the Portuguese star of Real Madrid has focussed on a certain Lionel Messi, the man who has been depriving him of the prestigious award for three years now. “Messi can win (the FIFA Ballon d’Or), as well as Xavi or Iniesta. And I do not forget Drogba and Falcao. There are several players that are likely to receive this prestigious trophy. ‘

Between the two men, sporting rivalry is not to hide, but there is no need to stir up controversy. Instead. CR7 even seems tired of this permanent challenge. “It’s mostly a matter of the media. In opposing permanently newspapers are sure to sell more every day. The truth is that I am a little tired … I feel that we have to prove every day that we are at the top. It’s a bit wearing, although I’m prepared. But I do not like to be compared to other players, to other people. These are other times or other teams. Finally, I begin to get used to it ‘

Also interviewed by France Football on this duel a few days ago, Lionel Messi had also made the same speech. But unlike the Argentinian, CR7 tries to explain what differentiates the two best players in the world today. “We are different, it is clear. Already we do not evolve in the same teams; we play in different systems. He grew up in the club when he was very young, he was still a child. He knows the club. He has been demonstrating for several years he is very good. He plays in one of the best clubs in the world, and in this sense it is a very good thing for him. I see him as a good teammate, a person who does things his own way. He is a player that I respect a lot. ‘

Does that mean that he can imagine spending his holidays with the Blaugrana? “That is to say … Well, I can tell you is that I have no problem with him. “Not sure. But if he respects Messi and thewell-oiled system of  Barça, the Merengue refuses the label of  individualistic player. “Surely not! I’m not individualistic. He who understands football knows it. Besides, I do not want to get into this debate, it does not interest me. Again, I am not the one who can answer you. ‘