FC Barcelona right-back, Dani Alves has explained why Lionel Messi is "much better" than his long-standing rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Read: Boateng: Ronaldo Easier To Defend Than Messi
Alves, who recently extended his contract with the Catalan giants for another two years, believes Messi outshines Ronaldo because the latter doesn't influence Real's game beyond scoring goals.
"Messi is much better than Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has an influence on the play and Cristiano doesn't," he told Bola de Vez in a TV interview.
"See if he has an influence on the play beyond scoring goals and appearing in certain moves. Messi is influential, he plays and assists.
"Messi has a divine gift. Cristiano is work. We have our battles, but I admire him. He is a guy with great dedication and he's competitive."
Alves also insisted Ronaldo cares little about the collective and is just looking at individual trophies.
"He has things that I do not admire because I play for the team. I think that my team is more important than me," he added.
"I think he cares little for what really matters, which is the collective side of the game.
"So much so that some criticised us during the celebration of titles while he celebrated the Pichichi (top league goalscorer award)."
Read: Alves' Message To Best-friend Messi
Ronaldo ended the campaign with 61 goals and lifted the Pichichini trophy for the top goal-scorer in La Liga, while Messi scored 58 goals and won the treble with Barcelona.
Do you agree with Dani Alves' Messi and Ronaldo comparison? Have your say in the comments section below.
