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Barcelona forward Lionel Messi: 'Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry is not personal'

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi says that the rivalry between himself and Juventus attacker Cristiano Ronaldo is 'not personal'.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has dismissed suggestions that his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo is 'personal'.

The pair have long been considered the best two players in world football, with each of the stars winning their share of personal accolades over the past decade.

However, while Ronaldo was not present in Milan as Messi picked up the Best FIFA Men's Player award, the 32-year-old has insisted that any competition between them is light-hearted.

During his time in Italy on Monday night, the Argentine is quoted by Marca as saying: "The sporting rivalry was huge. I played for Barcelona, he played for Real Madrid.

"We both win individual awards. People think that we also take that rivalry to a personal level but it is not so. We want the best for our teams and none of us like to lose, that's is where our rivalry comes from."

Messi also edged out Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to claim the award for 2019.

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Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Torino on May 3, 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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