Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that he does not have a bad relationship with Barcelonaforward Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo and Messi have dominated world football in recent years and are widely regarded as the two best current players in modern football, having shared the Ballon d'Or and Fifa Ballon d'Or between them during the last six years.
Much has been said and written about the alleged difficult relationship between the two, but Ronaldo has stressed he has a perfectly good professional relationship with the Argentine.
"It's not at all true that we have a bad relationship. We are colleagues and have a professional relationship," the Portugal star was quoted as saying by Marca.
"We don't have a relationship outside of football like I have with some other players. He tries to do his best for his club and national team and I do the same. There is a certain rivalry where we are each doing our utmost for our teams.
"This rivalry is part of my life. It is only normal that people compare us. The same happens in Formula 1 with Ferrari and Mercedes. I'm used to it. This has been the case not only since I joined Madrid, but already when I was still at Manchester United.
"I hope that we can both laugh about all this. Football is a game, it's something fun and something we both like. We must face this rivalry in a positive way because it is a good thing. Football is something beautiful that all the fans enjoy."
Ronaldo has started the 2014-15 campaign in fine fashion, scoring three goals in four official appearances.