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Cristiano Ronaldo: Dani Alves admits how much he respects CR7 and reveals Ballon d'Or 'scuffle'

  /  autty

Dani Alves has opened up on his 'love' and admiration for former opponent Cristiano Ronaldo.

The pair were fierce former rivals at Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid during the two sides' battle for supremacy.

And Brazilian defender Alves told Marca that the tension between the teams meant he could never express his respect for Ronaldo, now at Manchester United - before discussing their 'scuffle' at a Ballon d'Or award ceremony.

He said: 'I love Cristiano. Now we're no longer at Barca or Madrid, I can speak, as it always seemed like I couldn't. Cristiano exemplifies, for all of us who don't have that much quality, that with hard work, you can compete against the best.

'I respect him a lot and I had the opportunity to tell him. There was a time, because of the rivalry, I went to greet him, and he ignored me.

'There was a controversy that never came out, but in the Ballon d'Or dressing room we had a 'scuffle'. I greeted everyone and he ignored me because of the Barca-Madrid rivalry.

'I identify with him, because everything I did in my life was based on work. As a player, I'm closer to Cristiano than Messi, because of work, not because of talent. Leo is a born talent, at a level only he can achieve.'

The veteran right-back, 39, is currently at Mexican side UNAM and hoping to secure a place in his country's squad for the Qatar World Cup across November and December.

Alves has won 124 caps in a stellar international career and if he goes to the tournament, will be one of the oldest players at the competition.