Argentina's World Cup-winning coach Cesar Luis Menotti says Lionel Messi has benefited from playing in a superior team to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Barcelona and Real Madrid stars are expected to be among the final three Ballon d'Or nominees once again this year, having shared the prize between them since as far back as 2008.

Ronaldo lifted the Champions League for the third time in his career in May, but has often seen his Madrid side overshadowed by Barca, who have won eight LaLiga titles and four European titles since Messi's debut in 2004.

But Menotti, who guided Argentina to their first World Cup triumph in 1978, believes his compatriot has spent his career playing for a stronger side.

"Messi would not have been the same at Real Madrid," he told Fox Sports. "He started at Barcelona with [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi, Ronaldinho. A team that Cristiano Ronaldo never had.

"Cristiano always worked like a hero. He's a massive player, and maybe a great guy. But he works like a hero and he gets 50 goals.

"Messi has grown an enormous amount from the first day until now. He went from being a clinical striker to a more creative game, where he has another role."