Thierry Henry: Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo

ARSENAL legend Thierry Henry believes that Barcelona's Lionel Messi is a better player than Real Madrid star and former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

00:00, Mon, Feb 23, 2015 | UPDATED: 19:30, Mon, Feb 23, 2015

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Thierry Henry believes that Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portugal international picked up his third Ballon d'Or award at the start of 2015 following another barnstorming campaign under Carlo Ancelotti, with Messi enjoying a less-than-successful season with new boss Luis Enrique.

However, the Argentine has been in fine form since the turn of the year, overshadowing his counterpart as Real and Barcelona battle Atletico Madrid for the La Liga title.

And speaking to FIFA.com, Henry revealed that he reckons his former Nou Camp teammate is fractionally more talented than Ronaldo, despite reserving a huge amount of praise for the 30-year-old, explaining: "I played alongside Leo, so there's my answer. I have an enormous amount of respect for Cristiano, as someone who maintains such a high level for several years.

Cristiano Ronaldo Player Profile

I'm full of respect for Ronaldo, but I played with Leo and had extraordinary moments with him
Thierry Henry

"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."