Cristiano Ronaldo admitted on Wednesday that his long-time rivalry with Lionel Messi has made him "a better player" and that he enjoys a "healthy" rivalry with the Argentine great.
However, Ronaldo, whose influence in Real Madrid mirrored that of Messi in Barcelona before he left for Juventus, admitted that the pair have never socialised together.
"I really admire the career he has had and from his side, he has already talked of the disappointment when I left Spain because it was a rivalry that he appreciated," Ronaldo told TVI channel in Portugal.
"It's a good rivalry but it's not unique -- Michael Jordan had rivalries in basketball, there was Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in Formula 1. The thing they all had in common is that they were healthy rivalries."
Cristiano Ronaldo sits with Lionel Messi during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015 at the Kongresshaus, January 11, 2016. /VCG Photo
Ronaldo and Messi have won the coveted Ballon d'Or five times each, a factor that helps each player flourish.
"I have no doubt that Messi has made me a better player and vice-versa. When I am winning trophies it must sting him and it's the same for me when he wins," he said.
"We have an excellent professional relationship because we have been sharing the same moments for 15 years."
He added: "We've never had dinner together but I don't see why we can't in the future. I don't see a problem with that."