Argentina legend Diego Maradona believes that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still inseparable at the top of world football.
Speaking in an interview with Marca, the former Barcelona and Argentina forward stated that the two were phenomenal talents, and also believed Messi had ‘every right’ to retire from international football.
"These two are superior to the rest, Ronaldo always shows great passion and, honestly, it bores me to repeat that Messi doesn't have to win a World Cup to be a phenomenon," said the 55-year-old.
"The kid had every right to retire from the national side in the summer, and then he returns and still gets criticised!
"I think they took my words about Messi out of context, the day before I told Pele that in every great team there are five or six world class players. In his Brazil side for example, Pele, Tostao, Rivelino, many more, and they led the team.
“I've said many times what I think of Messi, so I don't care what went on that day.
"For me, the Ballon d'Or is not accurate, for example in 2014 Manuel Neuer was a finalist with Messi and Ronaldo. The German should have won, he'd just lifted the World Cup!"
