Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo Compared to Pele, Diego Maradona by Icon Ronaldo

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has hailed Barcelona star Lionel Messi as a more complete player than Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, but he doesn't think either of these modern-day greats come close to Pele or Diego Maradona.

In an interview with La Liga (h/t Marca), Ronaldo, who played for both of the Spanish giants during his illustrious career, spoke candidly about Messi and Ronaldo, who have long been the finest two players in world football.

“He [Messi] is out of this world,” said the former striker. “Cristiano too, but I see Leo as more complete. He's great. I like him much more than any other player. Everything he does is spectacular. He's both really good and really effective.”

However, Ronaldo insisted there are two players who stand out in the all-time stakes. “Pele and Maradona were much better than all of us.”

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The debate over Messi and Ronaldo has been a longstanding one, with anyone who enjoys football having a say on the matter.

Some prefer the dynamic, powerful and predatory play of the Real Madrid man, who has been the most prolific goalscorer in European football for a long time now. However, others, like the Brazilian, would rather watch the natural talent Messi possesses and his more rounded influence on football matches.

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As OptaJose noted recently, both players have delivered consistently in the final third for their respective teams:

They have both done enough to ensure they are forever remembered as greats of the game and some would argue they deserve to be considered as the greatest of all time. 

Indeed, in the last week, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has claimed Messi warrants that tag, per Adam Smith of the MailOnline. Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has also said the same about his client, per Jack Wilkinson of Sky Sports. For some, icons like Maradona and Pele will always be a cut above, though.

Here’s a look at why these two are often hailed as the best in the eyes of a lot of football fans:

What sets the pair apart from Messi and Ronaldo is success on the international stage. Pele won a remarkable three World Cups with Brazil, while Maradona’s brilliance inspired an otherwise average Argentina team to glory in 1986. They’re heights which Messi and Ronaldo have yet to scale with Argentina and Portugal, respectively.

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There is still time in the careers’ of the modern-day superstars to address this issue. Ronaldo may struggle to fire Portugal to glory, given they’re a team currently in the midst of a transitional phase, but Argentina have come close on a couple of occasions with Messi leading the team, losing in the final of the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America.

Nevertheless, when looking at the qualities of an individual, a lack of success with the national team shouldn’t be used to downplay their ability. The simple facts are that Messi and Ronaldo are both regularly breaking new ground with their attacking play and, as such, will surely be remembered alongside immortal sporting figures when they do eventually hang up their boots.