Thierry Henry: 'Lionel Messi better than Cristiano Ronaldo'

Former France forward Thierry Henry has claimed that Lionel Messi is a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo.

The pair are widely regarded as the two standout players in modern-day football and indeed two of the best of all time.

However, Henry, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona, believes that the Argentine just pips the Real Madrid forward.

"I played alongside Leo, so there's my answer. I have an enormous amount of respect for Cristiano, as someone who maintains such a high level for several years," Henry told FIFA.com.

"It's one thing to have a good season, and then have another four years later but to keep up with that level for consecutive years is something else.

"People realise it, of course, but I feel like we still don't grasp the real measure of what these two are doing. In the future, people will look back in awe at the continuity, the goals and the pressure that comes along with doing this for so long."

Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or for the third time in January.