Barcelona forward Lionel Messi: 'Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry 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.