Lionel Messi's sixth Ballon D'Or win is still making headlines, and this latest revelation by the Argentine ace will surely cause a stir among fans and experts.
"La Pulga" has always said that the rivalry between himself and the Portuguese footballer has not been as fierce as people can think, but in the interview granted to France Football after picking up his sixth award, he admitted that watching CR7 catch up to him in this department was not something he liked.
"On one hand, I loved having five and being the only one with that number, but when I saw Cristiano reach that total, it really got to me. I did not have the top spot all to myself," Messi said.
In true Messi fashion, the Argentine footballer was humble enough to acknowledge that CR7 deserved to win as many Ballon D'Ors as him due to his performance in the UEFA Champions League.
"Back then, Cristiano deserved to take the Ballon D'Or home and I couldn't do anything to stop it. I understood why I wasn't winning, we were not winning the UEFA Champions League and it's the title that gives you an edge when you try to win it. On the other hand, he was having great seasons and he was being decisive while winning UCL trophies," Messi added.
Although Messi admitted that winning titles with Barcelona is what really pushes him to excel, having a trophy case full of individual trophies does not bother him at all.
"Once again, winning titles with your team is really something, but winning individual awards is truly relevant. Winning a Ballon D'Or is special, and even if you celebrate it on your own terms, you have to admit that you should always be interested in winning individual trophies at this level,"the Argentine concluded.
