Messi is the best but don’t tell Ronaldo: Totti

Cristiano Ronaldo’s statement Ballon d’or victory pulled him level with Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi on five awards apiece but Francesco Totti believes that Messi is the best.

Real Madrid achieved the historic feat of winning back to back Champions League titles after they beat Juventus at Cardiff in the Champions League final last season. The Madrid team also reclaimed the La Liga title. Ronaldo got the most votes in the Ballon d'or voting and was crucial to Real Madrid during the latter stages of the Champions League last season.

Messi on the other hand was the top-scorer in La Liga and won the Di Stefano award for being the league’s best player.

Roma legend Totti is an old romantic and prefers vintage football rather than the glamour football fuelled by huge transfer fees.

“I really preferred the football of a long time ago. Today it is just crazy,” Totti said.

“Football has deeply changed between my time and now. I prefer the romantic football of before, now it is all about business.

“There are players like Ronaldo and Neymar, but Neymar is an example - it is too much to pay €250m for a player. This goes beyond reality.”

Totti,  who was speaking at the Dubai International Sports Conference said: 'Messi is number one, just don't tell Cristiano!'

Totti has a special place for Messi in his heart and had previously termed the Argentine as an ‘incomparable player’.

“It's only fair to make a special mention for Lionel Messi, who proved yet again that he is not only an incomparable champion, but also a model of kindness,” Totti had said after a match against Barca.