In an interview with the official website of Fifa, former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha believes Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is a better footballer than ex-Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi and Ronaldo have been the leading contenders for the best player in the world in the last ten years, with the Argentinian international winning five awards and the Portuguese four.

''I have to be diplomatic here, especially as I’ve a lot of Portuguese friends, but I tend to lean towards Messi. He’s a more natural talent,'' Okocha said.

''Ronaldo is a fantastic player, one of the best I’ve ever seen, but he’s been a bit unfortunate to be of the same generation as Messi. Consequently, they have to share the limelight.''

Okocha has opined that African players do not have a chance of being among the final three for The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, and they have to change their attitude to compete at the top level.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : fcbarcelona.com