Barcelona star plays down rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo

  


 Lionel Messi says there is no competition between him and Cristiano Ronaldo 
 

 Barcelona star Lionel Messi has played down his rivalry with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo saying it was what the media invented.

"There is no rivalry – it is just something that the media have invented," the four-time Bballon d'Or winner told Shortlist.

"It’s not Messi versus Ronaldo; it never has been."

Messi also said he is ready to stay at Barcelona as long as he wanted and expressed is gratitude for the opportunities the Catalan club have given him.

"Barcelona have given me everything; they gave me an opportunity when nobody else would," Messi said.

"I have never wanted to play anywhere else and I’ll stay there as long as they want me."