Cristiano Ronaldo has a Messi problem, says FC Barcelona great Xavi

Real Madrid C.F.’s Cristiano Ronaldo and FC Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi are regularly compared in the debate over who is the greatest players of the generation.

Barcelona great Xavi praised the “spectacular” Cristiano Ronaldo, but said the Real Madrid star’s problem was how good Lionel Messi is.

While the debate will continue on who, between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, is the best player in the world, the fact remains that the FC Barcelona player is slightly ahead of the Real Madrid C.F. superstar in the greatness scales. (Getty Images)

Real Madrid C.F.’s Ronaldo and Barca maestro Messi are regularly compared and always in the discussion over the greatest players of all-time.

Xavi, a former team-mate of Messi’s at Camp Nou, said Ronaldo deserved credit, but feels the Portuguese attacker is behind the Argentinian.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a born scorer, a spectacular footballer,” he told A Bola TV.

“The problem is that there is Messi, who for me is the best player in history.

“That is the only problem that Cristiano Ronaldo has, but he is a player who scores and continues to mark an era.”

Ronaldo’s Madrid are in Champions League action on Tuesday, hosting rivals Atletico in the first leg of their semi-final.

Meanwhile, the battle between Barca and Madrid for LaLiga glory is set to go down to the wire, with the former on top but having played a game more.