The two players were former teammates at the Nou Camp as Messi came up through the club's youth ranks while Ronaldinho was Barcelona's star player and Ballon d'Or winner.

Axar.az reports citing Mirror that Ronaldinho has refused to declare former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi as the greatest player in history - but conceded he is the best of his generation.

The retired Brazilian playmaker was one of world football's top figures when Messi made his Barcelona debut as a fresh-faced 16-year-old.

Two years later Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or, but he was soon replaced as the golden boy at the Nou Camp.

Messi has since gone on to win the same award on six occasions - more than any other player - but Ronaldinho could still not bring himself to label him the greatest.

“I can't say that Messi is the best ever, but he is the best in his time,” Ronaldinho told EFE (via Goal ).