They defined the ‘El Clasico’ rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona for the past decade but Cristiano Ronaldo said he has always got on well with Lionel Messi and never saw him as a rival.

Ronaldo, now playing for Juventus, scored two penalties to help the Italian champions secure a 3-0 win over Messi’s Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.

It was the first meeting between Ronaldo and Messi since the Portuguese forward left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018. Between them the pair have won the Ballon d’Or in 11 of the past 12 years.

“I have always had a cordial relationship with Messi,” Ronaldo told Movistar. “As I have said before, for 12, 13, 14 years (I have been) sharing prizes with him.

“I never saw him as a rival. He always tried the best for his team, and I tried the best for mine. I always got on well with him. I am sure he will say the same if you ask him.

“But we know in football, people always look for a rivalry to create more excitement.”

Ronaldo is hoping the win could provide an “injection of confidence” for Juventus, who are currently fourth in the Italian Serie A standings.

Barcelona are also looking to recover from a below-par start to their domestic league campaign.

“Messi is the same as ever (on the pitch),” Ronaldo said. “Barcelona are in a difficult moment, but they are still Barca. I am sure they will come out of it. All teams have bad runs, but Barcelona are a very good team.”

Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann believes his side’s could be just what his stuttering team needs to knock them back into shape.

The loss followed Saturday’s shock defeat by Cadiz and meant Barca failed to finish top of their group for the first time in 13 seasons and will be unseeded for the last-16 draw.

But Griezmann hopes it serves as a wake up call to his side, who have made their worst start to a league campaign in 33 years.

“This is a tough blow but it will serve us well to put everything in perspective and wake us up,” Griezmann said.

“This can also show us that every game is important.”

Barca’s terrible run of results has left coach Ronald Koeman exposed but Griezmann said the only people who could be blamed for the team’s predicament was the players. Barca host Levante on Sunday hoping to eat into their 12-point deficit on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, who face champions Real Madrid.

“Who else’s fault could it be other than the players? We must work hard and win on Sunday, we have to give a better image than we gave here,” Griezmann added.