Former Man United midfielder Kieran Richardson insists Leo Messi is BETTER than Cristiano Ronaldo

One of Cristiano Ronaldo's former team-mates has insisted he is not as good as Lionel Messi.

Kieran Richardson, who played 81 times for Manchester United after making his way through their academy, has branded Messi the greatest footballer of all time.

Richardson played 40 games alongside Ronaldo before leaving the Red Devils in 2009 having enjoyed immense success under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ronaldo has won 32 major honours in his career alongside five Ballon d'Or trophies.

Richardson, however, speaking on the Steven Sulley Podcast, insisted that he would pick Messi if pushed to choose between the two.

'They're both the GOATs', Richardson said, 'But if I had to pick one, then I have to pick Messi, even though I know Ronaldo, I've played with Ronaldo, I love Ronaldo.'

Richardson went onto explain his reasoning behind the decision, backing up several fans in suggesting that Messi's World Cup win puts him a step ahead.

'When they pass away, they'll still be talked about forever, but just because Messi got that World Cup,' he said.

'It's a massive thing having that World Cup, because even before Messi had the World Cup, everyone was saying, "yeah, but he hasn't won it yet".

'He can't be the best of all time because [Diego] Maradona won it, Pele won it.

'Now there is no question, he's won the pinnacle any footballer would want to win. Even though they get their own accolades, World Player of the Year so many times, but as a footballer, when you're thinking as a kid, you want to win a World Cup. That's all you want to win.'

Since leaving Manchester United earlier this season, Ronaldo has found form in Saudi Arabia with A-Nassr.

It's unlikely he will play in one of Europe's top leagues again, however, while Messi is still enjoying success in France with PSG.