Messi best, not Ronaldo: Rakitic

Madrid Dec 11 (IANS) FC Barcelona s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic feels Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo denying the latter s claim that he is the best footballer.

Ronaldo who plays for Barcelona s arch-rivals Real Madrid bagged his fifth Ballon d Or this week -- drawing level with Messi in the process -- and later told France Football that he believes he s the greatest to ever play the game.

"You know my opinion " Rakitic was quoted as saying by ESPNFC after Barcelona s 2-0 La Liga win over Villarreal on Sunday.

"With all the respect in the world for Cristiano Ronaldo he s up against the greatest in the history of the game.

"I congratulate him for winning the Ballon d Or but for me Leo is unique. There s only one No. 1. Those behind him are unfortunate enough to have coincided with him."

Messi scored the second goal in their win against Villarreal -- matching Gerd Muller s long-standing record for the most goals for one club in the top five European leagues -- as Barca remained five points clear at the top of the table over Valencia.

Luis Suarez had opened the scoring in the second half. Villarreal were then reduced to 10-men following Daniel Raba s dismissal.

--IANS
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