Messi better than Ronaldo - Cole

Chelsea's Joe Cole says Barcelona's Lionel Messi is ahead of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world.

Cole said Messi's form in Barca's Champions League semi-final defeat by United settled the debate.

"Ronaldo's been fantastic but in the semi-final Messi showed he's the top man," said Cole, who will face Ronaldo in next week's Champions League final.

"He is only 20 as well, imagine how good he will be in the next 10 years."

Messi has been linked with a £80m move to Chelsea, and Cole admitted he would be delighted if the speculation proved to be true.

"If we could sign him, I'd love to play alongside him," he added.

Cole's comments will help to crank up the atmosphere ahead of Wednesday's final between United and Chelsea in Moscow.

Ronaldo is the most highly rated player in the English game and has been bestowed with awards for his scintillating form this season.

The 23-year-old's 31 league goals were instrumental in United's Premier League title success, and he was named both the Football Writers' Association footballer of the year and PFA player of the year for two years in a row.

But the Portugal winger has been accused of sometimes failing to sparkle on the big stage and many believed he was outshone by Messi over both legs of the Champions League semis.

Source: BBC