Cristiano Ronaldo sends touching message to Lionel Messi and offers him dinner after great rival wins Foward of the Year
CRISTIANO RONALDO wants to make a meal of his special rivalry with Lionel Messi - despite the Barcelona legend beating him to Uefa's forward of the year award.
Juventus star Ronaldo mocked speculation the pair do not get on with a touching message saluting their 15-year duel.
Each has won the Ballon d'Or five times but Messi pipped Ronaldo, as well as Mo Salah, to Uefa's striking prize.
And Portugal skipper Ronaldo, 34, who is two years older than Argentina hero Messi, is now hoping to dine out on their continuing fight for supremacy.
Claiming the world's top two players "pushed" each other to greatness, Ron said: "We shared the stage for 15 years, me and him.
"I don't know if it has ever happened in football, the same two guys on the same stage all the time. So it is not easy, as you know.
And after Juventus again cruised to the Serie A crown in Ronaldo's debut season in Italy, he admitted he still feels the lure of La Liga.
The former Manchester United winger added: "I miss [playing] in Spain and we [had] that battle the last 15 years.
"He pushed me and I pushed him as well. It is great to be part of the history of football."