Cristiano Ronaldo: Lionel Messi and Neymar push me to be the best

Ronaldo gave an interview to ESPN during Real Madrid’s pre-season tour and he was asked about the player who pushes him hardest, with the obvious answer being Messi.

However Ronaldo said that there are so many top players at the moment who keep him on his toes.

The forward of course named Messi as well as Neymar, Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Gonzalo Higuain of Juventus.

"To mention one is hard, but the level that I am is like in other sports: Formula One, NBA ...The best players always follow the best players,” Ronaldo said.

"They want to be in the top of the game because the other ones are there. You cannot rest or sleep because the other ones will pass you.

"Of course we fight with everyone, with Neymar, with Messi, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Gonzalo] Higuain, with the best players in the world. This is not "fighting" but it's healthy. We fight to be the best.

"It's my motivation: to be better than them, year after year."

Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the Ballon d’Or since 2008 with the pair four and five trophies respectively.