Who is the best player in the world in the last decade: Ronaldo or Messi? The debate did not and will not end even after the retirement of the Portuguese and Argentine stars.
However, the Madeira was not a diplomat when asked about the difference between him and his arch-rivals and placed himself ahead of the Barcelona captain for winning the Champions League with two different teams.
He won five titles in the main continental competition, one with Manchester United and four with Real Madrid, and is hoping to win the title this season with a third team, Juventus.
"The difference is that I won the Champions League with two different teams," he said in an interview. "I have won the competition's top scorer on six consecutive occasions."
"Messi is an excellent player and he will always be remembered, not for winning the best player in the world, but because he has kept his form and playing high standards year after year as I do."
Each of the two stars has five gold balls awarded to the best player in the world, a record that no player in history has ever achieved.