Cristiano Ronaldo texts Rio Ferdinand to ask why Lineker prefers Lionel Messi

Rio Ferdinand has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo's competitive streak still burns as brightly as ever before, after telling Gary Lineker that his former team-mate is not happy to hear himself considered beneath Lionel Messi.

BBC pundit Lineker has made no secret of his preference for Messi over Ronaldo in the age-old football debate, and frequently references the Barcelona man as the greatest player of all time.

Ronaldo, however, still takes this very personally.

Speaking this week in the BBC studio, during Euro 2020 coverage of Portugal vs France, Ferdinand told Lineker that he still receives text messages from Ronaldo demanding to know exactly why his colleague believes Messi has the edge.

Ferdinand said: 'He (Ronaldo) was an obsessed human in terms of becoming the best.

'He's a phenomenal player but someone who thinks about everything in the game to get every little bit out of himself.

'It's a great example and he uses negativity as fuel. You (Lineker) say Messi is the better out of the two. He will text me saying 'why has he said that?'

'It's his competitive nature and you need that to be the best.'

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or fives times: Only one less than arch rival Messi, but his last title came in 2017.

Ronaldo stepped up to the plate on Wednesday evening as Portugal registered a 2-2 draw with tournament favourites France.

The 36-year-old was on hand to slot home a brace from the penalty spot, as his nation rescued a point and progressed to the knockout stage of the competition as one of the best performing third placed teams.

Portugal concluded the group stage level on points with Germany but took third because of the head-to-head ruling.

Ronaldo will guide his side into the last 16 where they face Roberto Martinez's Belgium.