‘Try something new, come to Italy,’ –  Ronaldo urges Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo has urged long- time rival Lionel Messi to be more like him and push his limits by challenging himself in another league than Spain .“ I ’ d like him to come to Italy one day . I hope he accepts the challenge like me , but if he ’ s happy there then I respect that , ” Ronaldo told the Italian press on Monday .

The two strikers have been rivals for the past decade winning five Ballon d ’ Or trophies each before their domination was broken by World Cup runner – up Luka Modric last week .

Asked if he missed the 31 -year – old Argentinian, who has spent his entire senior career at Barcelona , Ronaldo replied : “ No , maybe it ’ s him who misses me …
“ I ’ ve played in England , Spain , Italy , Portugal and for my national team , while he ’ s still in Spain .

“ Maybe he needs me more … For me , life is a challenge , I like it and I like to make people happy .

“ He ’ s a fantastic player and a good guy , but I don’ t miss anything here . This is my new life and I ’ m happy .

“ I left my comfort zone and took on this challenge here in Turin , everything has gone well , I ’ ve proven I ’ m still an incredible player , ” said Ronaldo .

Ronaldo joined Juventus for 100 million euros ( $ 114 million ) last summer as the Turin giants bid to lift the Champions League trophy after two runners – up finishes in the past four seasons .

To mark his 150 days in Italy he gave interviews on Monday to three leading sports dailies : La Gazzetta dello Sport , Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport .

“ I had different options . I won ’ t say which but I had them . Juventus is a solid club . It has a long history , ” he said of his decision .

“ I knew the atmosphere in the stadium . I ’ d played several times in Italy . I like the city , the people and the club . I knew it could work .

“ I couldn ’ t be 100 percent sure I was joining the best club in the world . After nine years at Real Madrid it was difficult to compare .

“ Now I ’ m 100 percent sure it was the right option . ”

– ‘ Not an obsession ’ –

Ronaldo has scored 11 goals this season , bringing his career total to 584 .

Finishing second in Ballon d ’ Or voting to Modric , said Ronaldo , just motivates him even more .

“ Of course I ’ m disappointed , but life goes on and I will continue to work hard , ” said the 33 -year – old .

“ On the pitch I ’ ve done everything to win the Ballon d ’ Or , numbers do not lie , but I ’ m no less happy if I do not win, I have wonderful friends and a family , I play in one of the best clubs .

“ Congratulations to Modric , who has earned the award , but next year we will meet again and I will do everything to win the prize again.

“ Do you think I ’ m going home and crying ?”

Juventus play Young Boys in their final Champions League group game in Switzerland on Wednesday , having already booked their place in the knockout rounds .

And Ronaldo is hoping his experience of winning the trophy five times can serve his new team .

“ The Champions League cannot be an obsession , you have to think about it calmly , ” he warned .

“ Yes we all want it but we have to get there step by step .

“ Look at the game against Manchester United ( 2 – 1 defeat ) , if it had been a quarter – final we would have gone out . You need a little luck . ”

( AFP )

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