After winning a record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or, FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi made a big admission about former Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Click through the gallery above to see some images from the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris.
The Argentine took home the prestigious award on Monday night, beating the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ronaldo on the way to his sixth Ballon d'Or.
The 32-year-old enjoyed an incredible individual calendar year, during which he won the 2018/19 European Golden Shoe award and the Best FIFA Men's Player prize.
After scooping the accolade, Messi gave an interview in which he admitted that it hurt him when Ronaldo drew level with him on five Ballons d'Or in 2017.
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"On the one hand, I enjoyed having five and being the only one," Messi told France Football.
"When Cristiano moved level, I admit that it hurt me a bit.
"I was no longer alone at the top. But it made sense, although it was good when I was alone at five."
Between the two superstars, Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or first in 2008, before Messi went on to win the award for the next four years in a row, in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
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The Portuguese forward then took the prize in 2013 and 2014, with Messi winning it a fifth time in 2015. Ronaldo would then win it again in 2016 and 2017.
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