Messi not interested in being best in history

Barcelona star striker Lionel Messi has no personal battle with his long-time Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo in a race to be considered 'the best in history'.

Despite picking up nine La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns, five Ballons d'Or and 552 goals for Barcelona, Messi insisted that he has never been driven by the pursuit of individual honours.

"I'm not interested in being the best in history. I have never suggested that: not being the first, nor the second, third or fourth," goal.com quoted Messi as saying.

Messi revealed that every time he goes out to the field, he forgets about his past achievements and just focus on trying to improve himself.

"Every time I start a season I try to improve myself, win everything, leave everything every time I go out to the pitch, give the maximum for my teammates and for myself.It does not change anything to be the best in history," he said.

It should be noted that Messi and Ronaldo have enjoyed a decade of dominance at the top of the game, with the Barcelona striker spending most of his career battling with the Portuguese for the world's best title.

However, Messi quashed the same, saying that he has no competition with anyone and that he doesn't play to be considered the best in the history.

"I always want to improve myself and I do not compete with anyone because I do not play to be the best in history but to improve myself year after year and to keep winning," he said.

Messi, who has already guided Barcelona to La Liga and Copa del Rey title this season, is now eyeing international honours with Argentina at World Cup 2018 in Russia.