Cristiano Ronaldo admitted his long-time rivalry with Lionel Messi has made him "a better player" and that he enjoys a "healthy" rivalry with the Argentine great.

However, Portuguese star Ronaldo, whose influence at Real Madrid mirrored that of Messi at Barcelona before he left for Juventus, admitted that the pair has never socialized together.

Ronaldotold "I really admire the career he has had and from his side, he has alreadytalked of the disappointment when I left Spain because it was a rivalry that heappreciated. I have no doubt that Messi has made me a better player andvice-versa. When I am winning trophies it must sting him and it's the same forme when he wins. I have an excellent professional relationship because we havebeen sharing the same moments for 15 years. We've never had dinner together butI don't see why we can't in the future. I don't see a problem with that."

Inthe same interview Ronaldo also dropped a major hint regarding his retirementas the Portugal star said that he could bring the curtains down on a glitteringcareer next year or may even play till 40 or 41.

Ronaldo, who signed for Italian giants Juventus last year and guided them to the Series A title, is currently one of the most celebrated footballers in the world and his rivalry with Argentina's Lionel Messi has achieved legendary status.