Daily Times

BEIJING: Real Madrid and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has said on Tuesday that players like Lionel Messi and Neymar motivate him to maintain high levels of professionalism.

The 32-year-old, who is currently in China for Nike’s individual promotional tour, said that healthy competition from top players around the world is what keeps him thriving for more.

“Of course we fight with everyone, with Neymar, with Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Gonzalo Higuain, with the best players in the world. This is not “fighting” but it’s healthy. We fight to be the best,” he said.

The Portuguese national further added that to be better than everyone else is his primary inspiration and he is always willing to sacrifice his rest or sleep to stay on top.

“It’s my motivation: to be better than them, year after year. They want to be in the top of the game because the other ones are there. You cannot rest or sleep because the other ones will pass you,” Ronaldo added.

The four-time world player of the year stressed, however, that despite his professional life, objectives and fame, the most important thing to him is his family.

“You have your private life, your girlfriend, your cars, your houses, your fame, but in the beginning, your family is always with you, in good moments or bad moments,” he said.