Messi: 'I don't compare myself to Cristiano'

Stop comparing Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo. Or anyone else, for that matter.

That's the message from the pint-sized Barcelona superstar, who says he does his best to avoid the ever-present arguments that pit the world's two best players against one another.

"The press looks to compare among other things. All I want is to help my team to grow each season," Messi told Egyptian TV station MBC, according to ESPN FC.

"I don't compare myself to Cristiano nor to anyone. I only try to think of me, of my teammates and win games."

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner will likely have no choice but to endure a week's worth of comparison to his Real Madrid counterpart, as the Spanish media - and football world - gears up for the the latest edition of El Clasico, set for this coming Saturday.

"They (Real Madrid) have great players," Messi said. "They have always had impressive stars and it's one of the best teams in the world.

"They are always a complicated rival and against them, we always find it difficult to beat them in the Spanish league. There is a lot of competition and we try to do it better."