Theo Hernandez has prepared for his weekend showdown with Lionel Messi by telling the Barcelona superstar that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world.

Theo is on a season-long loan at Real Sociedad from Real Madrid and Ernesto Valverde's LaLiga champions visit the refurbished Anoeta on Saturday.

The 20-year-old defender is no stranger to controversy, having left Atletico Madrid to move to the Santiago Bernabeu on a six-year deal last year, and he played to the galleries in a pre-match interview with Marca.

"In Barcelona they are all very good players. But I like only Real Madrid players, so do not talk to me about Barcelona," the left-back said, before running the rule over Barca's man in his left-back position.

"Jordi Alba is a great player but, as I say, I like [Real Madrid's] Marcelo more, who is the best left-back in the world without a doubt. 

"Alba has always been going to the national team and now they have not called him, but I cannot comment on the reason."

Then came Theo's somewhat predictable contribution to the most heavily retrodden debate in 21st-century football.

"Messi? For me, although he has left Real Madrid, I think the best is Cristiano Ronaldo," he added, in an observation sure to go down well in a certain corner of the Juventus dressing room.