'Great players should play together', Ronaldo talks of partnering Messi

After lifting his fourth Ballon d'or award, Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that the competition for the trophy would have been fiercer if he and Lionel Messi were in the same team.

Ronaldo, who inspired Zinedine Zidane's side to the Champions League glory and Portugal to the European Championship 2016 trophy, defeated Messi and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann to win the coveted prize.

The Portuguese star, who previously lifted the prestigious prize in 2008, 2013 and 2014, is now one behind Messi, who took the honour for a fifth time last year.

Asserting that 'great players should play together', Ronaldo believes he would have performed out of the top had Messi been his team-mate.

"It would be interesting to see both of us in the same team," goal.com quoted Ronaldo as saying.

"I think great players should play together. So if we were in the same team, I think I would have more than him, but he wouldn't be far off. Everyone knows Messi is a great player. He's won five Ballons d'Or," he added.

The 31-year-old asserted he now hopes to help Real Madrid to the Club World Cup in Japan as he aims to add more achievements to his already impressive catalogue

"My objective now is to win the Club World Cup, an important trophy.After that, to win La Liga. It's a title that Real wants to win. And if possible, the Champions League again and the Copa del Rey. I always want to win everything," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo has scored 19 goals in 20 games for club and country this term, to add to the 54 goals he got last season.