In an interview with La
Gazetta dello Sport and the Corriere dello Sport, Juventus star Cristiano
Ronaldo opened up about Messi, the Ballon d'Or and others. Ronaldo has
challenged Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona and prove his influence in another
league by joining him in Serie A. When asked if he misses Messi, he said, "Maybe
[Messi] misses me."
"I've played in England,
Spain, Italy, Portugal and with the national team while he's always been in
Spain. Maybe he needs me more. For me, life is a challenge and I like it and I
like making people happy.
"I'd like it if he came to
Italy one day. He should do like me and accept the challenge. But if he's happy
there then I respect that: he's a fantastic footballer, a great lad, but I'm
not missing anything here. This is my new life and I'm happy.
"This is not a contest
between me and Messi -- I just do my job and I've been successful in each club
I've played in and this is the most important thing. I don't like being
compared with others, it's not fair. The numbers do the talking and if you see
the statistics, you'll see. I've tried to bring success to every club I've
played in and the national team and I don't have anything to prove.
"I've even changed my life
and left my comfort zone, accepting this challenge which has gone well. I
believed in myself and proved to the people that I'm still an incredible
footballer."
On the Ballon d'Or awarded Luka Modric, he revealed, "I think I deserve to win it every year,
that's what I work for, but if I don't win it, it's not the end of the
world," he said. "I respect the decision. I did everything I could to
win it on the field and the numbers don't lie, but don't go thinking that I'm
unhappy if I don't win it.
"I've got fantastic friends,
I play in one of the best clubs and you think I go home and cry? Of course I'm
disappointed, but life goes on and I will just work even harder. So
congratulations to Modric, he deserves it, but we'll see next year and I will
do everything I can to win it again, understood?"
On Juventus and winning the Champions League, he said, "It shouldn't be an obsession but this team
is very strong."
On the Juventus squad, "It
isn't right to name someone specific but I can say that this is the best group
in which I've played. Here, we are a squad, elsewhere, some players feel bigger
than the others, instead here, everyone is on the same level, they are humble
and want to win.
"If Dybala or Mandzukic don't
score, they are still happy and you see them smile. For me it is beautiful, to
feel that difference. Also at Madrid they are humble, but here I feel that
sense more. It's very
different to Madrid, here it is more of a family.
On Marcelo or Isco joining
Juventus
"I've seen stories about James [Rodriguez], [Gareth] Bale, [Marco]
Asensio, but honestly, Juventus don't need any other players. You have to talk
to the president. In the future, I don't know. Marcelo is great, the doors are
open for the great player and Marcelo is one of them.
On facing Real Madrid in the Champions League, he said, "For me, facing Madrid is the same.
The past is the past, now I want to win with Juve. I have to defend these
colours and nothing else matters. If I play against Madrid, I will try to give
my best."
*photo credit: BBC Sport
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