Ronaldinho: Messi the best of his era but not all time

Ronaldinho is not wading into the great debate.

Asked if Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time, Ronaldinho gave his friend a slightly different title.

"I can't say Messi is the best ever, but he is the best of his time," Ronaldinho said, according to Marca. "I'm happy for Messi because he is a friend. Besides, he has been a reference point for Barcelona.

"I don't like comparisons because it's hard to identify who is the best in history. There is Diego Maradona, Pele, and Ronaldo."

Ronaldinho played with Messi at the beginning of his career at Barcelona and witnessed the diminutive Argentine's rise to stardom. In the 15 years since his official debut, Messi has established himself as a world-beater, recording 617 goals and 239 assists in 702 matches for the club. He's won 35 titles with the Blaugrana, including last season's La Liga crown, and he recently added a sixth Ballon d'Or to his cabinet.

But critics hold his international career against him. Messi only has a gold medal to show for his efforts with Argentina, having lost in one World Cup final and three Copa America finals.