GOAL

Brazil legend Pele says he would pick Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo because of his ability to do more than just score goals.

The Brazil icon maintains that it's difficult to compare the two players but feels the Argentina star has the edge because of his added ability to create from deep

The Portuguese forward currently tops the Liga goalscoring charts with 38 strikes and 12 assists, while Messi has netted 34 and set up a further 15.

Pele says he does not like to choose between the two when asked who is better, but feels the Barcelona star edges it slightly.

"It's not that I like one of Messi or Cristiano more, when people ask me, I always say that you cannot compare them," he told Al Primer Toque.

"Cristiano is a great player, more forward, more of a scorer.

"Messi is a player who makes goals but also creates chances as a weapon in behind.

"The two would be very important, but if I had to choose one it would be Messi."

The three-time World Cup winner also spoke highly of Neymar and feels he is moving ever closer to the level of Messi and Ronaldo.

"Neymar is reaching the level of the best. He does not have the same experience as Messi or Cristiano. Sometimes people forget players like [Andres Iniesta. It is very easy to play on a team with great players. It is an excellent school for Neymar."

The 74-year-old is often regarded as the best player in the history of the game alongside Diego Maradona, but he says Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane also deserves to be mentioned in the same bracket.

"He was one of the best midfielders we've had in football. Zidane had more courage than I did, he was of the level of Maradona and Messi.

"People who saw Zidane with the ball at his feet knew that his head was complete too."