Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the players of this generation but believes they are both equally the best in the world.
The Red Devils boss, who mentored Ronaldo for several seasons during his time at Old Trafford, said there was “nothing between the pair” ahead of the Ballon d’Or where the pair are up for the honour along with Andres Iniesta.
“I think that what we are seeing at the moment from Messi is an exceptional player from this decade along with Cristiano Ronaldo,” Ferguson said.
“There is nothing between the two of them, they are both the best players in the world.”
Ferguson added: “The great thing about football is that there will always be great players. You can go back to the 60s with Di Stefano, Puskas, and Eusebio. Going into the 70s you had Cruyff and Beckenbauer and then in the 80s Van Basten.”