Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has spoken highly of his Real Madrid counterpart Cristiano Ronaldo, after winning yet another Ballon d’Or.
Messi won the Ballon d’Or for a record 8th time, as he was given the award in Paris on Monday, beating Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Messi has won the Ballon d’Or the most of any player (8), while Ronaldo has won it 5 times.
Messi spoke highly of Ronaldo nevertheless, claiming that the competition made both players better.
Messi said after winning his 8th Ballon d’Or: “It was an epic competition between brackets.
“Athletically, he [Cristiano] was very good, and I think we benefited from each other, because we are both very competitive and he also always wants to win over everyone and everything.”
