Lionel Messi needs Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi needs Cristiano Ronaldo, claims former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert

Kluivert doesn't think Messi would be as good as he is if it wasn't for the competition provided by Real Madrid star Ronaldo

Competition: Ronaldo and Messi are the two best players on the planet

Patrick Kluivert says Lionel Messi needs Cristiano Ronaldo to compete with him to maintain his hunger for improvement.
The two players have collectively hogged each of the last seven Ballon d'Ors on offer, with Messi claiming four to Ronaldo's three.
After guiding Barcelona to the treble last season, Messi is the firm favourite to make it five and pull away from his La Liga rival when the 2015 winner is announced in January.

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However, Kluivert is adamant Messi wouldn't be as good as he is if it wasn't for the competition provided by Real Madrid star Ronaldo.
"Messi is in a different dimension with his football, but I also think he urgently needs someone like Cristiano Ronaldo," he told Voetbal Zone.
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"He needs someone who gives him an incentive to go for it every game, to see each match as a challenge. Both players are world class and a level above the rest.
"At Barcelona, now there is only one central player: Messi. During my time, there were several important players there, though on the other hand Messi's nothing without his team-mates."
Kluivert, who played for Barcelona between 1998 and 2004, is currently the manager of Carribean nation Curacao.

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Transition: Kluivert has turned his hand to coaching since retiring from playing

But he harbours hopes of one day taking the reins at the Nou Camp, where former teammate Luis Enrique is now in charge.
"Of course, it's my dream to be coach of Barcelona," the Dutchman added. "Yes, I know it is certainly a possibility which is far away, but who knows what might happen.
"Luis Enrique was a leader on the field in our playing days and always crazy about football. These two features – leadership and passion – ensure he's a top trainer. It makes sense he's done well."