Cristiano Ronaldo believes that he is the best player in the world ahead of Lionel Messi.

The Portugal international insists he is not bothered by his rival's achievements in 2015 and says his mentality has allowed him to become one of the world's greats

The Real Madrid forward has been battling for top spot with the Barcelona star and has won the Ballon d’Or ahead of the Argentine for the past two years.

Messi heads into this year’s ceremony having won the treble with Barcelona, but when asked about his rival’s achievements, Ronaldo told El Pais: ”It doesn’t bother me.

“If you look back over my past eight years, I’ve always been at the peak; and that is difficult. Name me someone else who has done it? After that, being No.1 or No.2 is a matter of small details, such as if you win trophies or not.

“Perhaps for you, Messi of Barca is the best; in my head, I am the best – and everyone should think that about ourselves. That is why I have been able to achieve so much in my career.

“It was hard for me to watch Messi picking up several Ballon d’Ors. I’d be thinking, ‘Why should I go to the gala?’”

Barcelona's Argentinean forward Lionel Messi (R) walks next to Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo during the 'El Clasico' Spanish League football match. File Photo: AFP