Messi 'doesn't compare himself to Ronaldo'

Barcelona Argentine star Lionel Messi has insisted he does not compare himself to Real Madrid Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead of Saturday's El Clasico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Barcelona, which leads La Liga standings, will face third-placed Real Madrid on April 2.

Both Messi and Ronaldo won Ballon d'Or awards, with the Argentine star picking up the last award in January 2016.

However, Messi noted that he focuses on helping his team, rather than comparing himself to others.

"Personally, I try to help my team, play and improve every year. I don't compare myself with Cristiano or with anyone," Messi told Egyptian TV station MBC, adding that "comparisons are a press thing".

"We don't know each other personally - only in games. We don't see each other away from the pitch to have a relationship, but that's normal," the Barcelona star explained, according to British newspaper Mirror.