Former Real Madrid left-back, Roberto Carlos, has waded into the never-ending debate about who is the better player between Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are arguably among the top five greatest players in football history.

The pair have won 12 Ballon d’Or awards between themselves in the past 15 years.

Speaking to Fox Sports (via Sport Bible), Roberto Carlos, however, picked Ronaldo as the better player ahead of Messi, insisting that the Portugal captain has an advantage over all other players.

Carlos said, “These days, when you talk about football, you talk about Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo."

“Cristiano has worked to improve. When you talk about the Ballon d’Or or any other prize, it’s not just any person who votes; it’s people who know football, who follow the stats of the players and pick the best in the world.

“I watch him train every day and the way he works is exciting. He wants to improve every day.

He added: “That is the difference with Messi. Leo is a phenomenon. We never talk about Neymar... But that side of Cristiano, of training, professionalism, focus, motivation, success... Cristiano has an advantage over all the others.