GOAL

Thierry Henry has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo for his consistent performances over the last four years, but stresses that Lionel Messi is the better player.

The ex-Barcelona striker says he has ultimate respect for the Real Madrid talisman but feels his former team-mate is the better player

Ronaldo was voted the Fifa Ballon d'Or winner for the third time in January, having won the award for the first time in 2008 before Messi went on to win it four times in a row. 

Despite the Real Madrid star having pipped the Argentine to the accolade in each of the last two years, Henry still feels his former Barcelona team-mate is the better player, but says people should enjoy watching both of them.

"I played alongside Leo, so there’s my answer," the Frenchman replied when asked by Fifa.com which one of the two he prefers. "I have an enormous amount of respect for Cristiano, as someone who maintains such a high level for several years.

"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.

"So I'm full of respect for Ronaldo, but I played with Leo and had extraordinary moments with him, we lost and won together, so that is all I have to say on Leo."