Ronaldo sets sights on winning eight Ballon d’Or awards to better rival Messi

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Cristiano Ronaldo is targeting a haul of eight Balon d’Ors to establish himself as the undisputed best player in the world ahead of arch rival Lionel Messi.

The Portuguese superstar currently holds five titles, tied with the Barcelona talisman, as the two continue to tussle over becoming the greatest player to grace the sport in the present day.

And in a revealing interview with Piers Morgan for ITV, Ronaldo explained he believed he deserves a record number of the prestigious award.

When questioned what trophy record he would like to set before retirement, the 34-year-old said: ‘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.’

Ronaldo also described the diminutive Argentine as the best player he has faced throughout his illustrious career, although he admitted the two weren’t close friends off the field.

‘My relationship with him, we’re not ‘home’ friends but we’ve shared the stage for 15 years,’ he added.

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‘I have a good relationship, and I know that he pushes me to be a better player and I push him as well.’

In the wide-ranging hour spent with ITV presenter Morgan, the mercurial attacker was also quizzed on the legacy he wished to leave behind.

Ronaldo duly responded with his wish to be one of the greatest players in football history, and revealed his belief that he already tops the list of all-time legends.

He said: ‘I cannot control what the people like, some people like this player or that player. For me, (I am) the number one in history. I know I’m one of the greatest ever in the history of football.’

The Juventus striker even admitted he wanted the title of ‘number one’ in the world to be etched onto his tombstone, and jokingly added: ‘Not number seven, number one!’

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