Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is better than Ballon d'Or rival Lionel Messi

‘I am better than Messi’- Ronaldo

REAL Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is a better player than Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.

The pair – widely considered the best players of their generation – have won the past seven Ballon d’Ors between them, with Ronaldo picking up his second in a row and third in January.

Messi, however, could have the edge when the award is handed out early next year after winning the treble with Barca in 2014/15.

Ronaldo told El Pais: ”It doesn’t bother me.

“If you look back over my past eight years, I’ve always been at the peak; and that is difficult. Name me someone else who has done it? After that, being No.1 or No.2 is a matter of small details, such as if you win trophies or not.

“Perhaps for you, Messi is the best; in my head, I am the best – and everyone should think that about ourselves. That is why I have been able to achieve so much in my career.

“It was hard for me to watch Messi picking up several Ballon d’Ors. I’d be thinking, ‘Why should I go to the gala?” -Kickoff.com