Cristiano Ronaldo has said he wants to win as many as eight Ballon d’Or awards during his career in order to move clear of Lionel Messi.
The Portuguese superstar and his Argentinian rival both have five apiece at the moment, more than any other players in history.
“The most golden balls in the history of football. I will love it, and I think I deserve it. Messi is a fantastic guy and a fantastic player, but I think after I have six, or seven, or eight then I’ll be more above him.
“My relationship with [Messi], we’re not ‘home’ friends, but we’ve shared the stage for 15 years. I have a good relationship, and I know that he pushes me to be a better player and I push him as well.”
“I cannot control what the people like, some people like this player or that player. For me, [I am] the No. 1 in history. I know I’m one of the greatest ever in the history of football.”
Ronaldo and Messi monopolised the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual award in football, between 2008 and 2017.