Cristiano Ronaldo on Lionel Messi rivalry: 'In my mind I am better

As posted on the espn webs

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Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was full of praise for his rival Lionel Messi.

Cristiano Ronaldo says he's the best player in the world, and he doesn't care what anyone else thinks.

The Real Madrid superstar is constantly lined up against Barcelona's Lionel Messi, as the two continue to go back and forth as Ballon d'Or winners and as the career leader in Champions League goals.

But Ronaldo told the BBC that there's no question in his mind about who is the superior player.

"In my mind, I'm always the best," Ronaldo said. "I don't care what people think, what they say. In my mind, not just this year but always, I'm always the best.

"It's opinions, I respect the opinions. Maybe in your opinion Messi is better than me, but in my mind I am better than him. So it's simple."

Messi has won four Ballon d'Or awards to Ronaldo's three, though the Portuguese has won the past two honours. Ronaldo has also surpassed Messi with 82 Champions League goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo, right, says he never doubts that he's the superior player to Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo, 30, also became Real Madrid's all-time leading goal scorer last month, and said the numbers speak for themselves.

He said: "I don't need to say 'I'm in the history of football, I'm a legend.' The numbers say everything."

However, Ronaldo said he's unsure if he can get any better than he already is.

"To improve more it's very tough," he said. "I just want to maintain because this is I think the most difficult part for a football player