Ronaldo is on the same level with Messi- Casillas

Cristiano Ronaldo has been able to battle with
Lionel Messi for the title of the world's best
player because of his "strength and courage," his
former Real Madrid teammate Iker Casillas has
said.
Ronaldo, 32, helped Madrid to a La Liga and
Champions League double last year and is
favourite to win a fifth Ballon d'Or when France
Football unveils the 2017 winner on Thursday.
That would see him equal the haul of Barcelona's
Messi, 30, who has joined his Madrid rival in the
top two of the poll for the last six years.
Casillas played alongside Ronaldo until leaving
for Porto in 2015 and suggested that while the
Portugal captain is "very different" to Messi, his
work ethic has kept the two neck-and-neck at the
top of the game.
"Regardless of whether you love Cristiano
Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, there's no doubt that
competing with a player such as Lionel Messi
isn't easy," L'Equipe quoted him as saying.
"The consistency and the strength of Cristiano
Ronaldo have enabled him to be one of the most
important and recognised players.
"He's very different to Messi but, with strength
and courage, he's also a world-class player."
Casillas played against Messi on numerous
occasions during his Madrid career and said:
"The thing, when you face Lionel Messi, is to stay
organised. He's a very fast player, a livewire.
"In addition to scoring a lot of goals, he also
provides a lot of assists. With Messi, you have to
stay focused for the whole game, from the first to
the 90th minute."