Lionel Messi has labelled his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo as “healthy” and insists that it was good for football fans across the world.

Messi’s relationship with Ronaldo has sometimes appeared strange as the pair turned the annual Ballon d’Or into a personal head-to-head, sharing out every title since 2008 until the pair were pipped by Luka Modric earlier this month.

During Ronaldo’s time with Real Madrid he won two La Liga titles and clinched four Champions League medals. Meanwhile, Messi has a remarkable nine La Liga medals and also four Champions League titles.

Ronaldo’s stunning nine year association with Madrid came to an end in July when the Portuguese completed a transfer to Juventus.

But the 31-year-old Messi insisted he has every respect for Ronaldo and claimed the pair’s time in Spain was a positive for football and for fans worldwide.

“The rivalry with Cristiano was very healthy and good for the fans,” he told Marca.

“I heard the nominees for the Ballon d’Or and I knew I would not be in the fight,” he said about finishing fifth for the Ballon d’Or, with Modric winning the award.