driven to be the best player in the world by the fear
of being surpassed by the likes of Lionel Messi and
Neymar.
The 32-year-old Portugal international, who won
the Ballon d'Or in January, is a firm favourite to be
crowned the world's finest footballer for the fifth
time following Madrid's triumphs in LaLiga and the
Champions League in 2016-17.
Ronaldo and long-time rival Messi have shared the
Ballon d'Or and FIFA Ballon d'Or every year since
2008 and another triumph for the former
Manchester United man would see him draw level
with the Barcelona great on the all-time list.
And Ronaldo admits that the "healthy" competition
between the world's finest forwards, among whom
he includes Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski
and Juventus' Gonzalo Higuain, is what inspires
him to strive for success.
"To mention one [player] is hard, but the level that I
am is like in other sports: Formula One, NBA...The
best players always follow the best players," he
told ESPN.
"They want to be in the top of the game because
the other ones are there. You cannot rest, because
the other ones will pass you.
"Of course we fight with everyone, with Neymar,
with Messi, Lewandowski, Higuain, with the best
players in the world. This is not 'fighting' but it's
healthy. We fight to be the best.
"It's my motivation: to be better than them, year
after year."
Ronaldo has won 19 major trophies in a glittering
career and was named by Forbes as the world's
highest-paid athlete in June this year, ahead of
Messi and NBA star LeBron James.
However, the Madeira-born forward says the
welfare of his family remains the most important
thing in his life.
He explained: "I was with Peter Lim, the owner of
Valencia, and he said to me: 'Cristiano, we have
money, fame, everything. I have millions and
billions. But the most important thing is family.
Keep your family healthy, good. Take care of them'.
"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."
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