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Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Barcelona Real MadridGetty Images

'Messi compared to legends, Ronaldo compared to Messi' - Stoichkov's unique take on best debate

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Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

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Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

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Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is “unequivocally number one” in the world, with Cristiano Ronaldo not in his league, according to Hristo Stoichkov.

The Real Madrid forward remains locked in a personal battle with an eternal rival from Camp Nou for the right to be considered the best player on the planet.

When Barcelona nearly sold Messi

Ronaldo is the current holder of the Ballon d’Or and favourite to draw level with Messi on five wins apiece in 2017.

Stoichkov, though, believes the Argentine holds the advantage when it comes to true icon status, with his talents compared to those of the past while Ronaldo is compared to Messi.

The former Barca striker told Sport Express: “Messi - unequivocally number one, he always plays for the team. Crazy technique, intelligence, and yet Messi - not selfish, it is very important. 

“People compare Messi with Di Stefano , Pele , Cruyff . But Ronaldo is compared to Messi. That says a lot. 

“He will never will be the same as Messi. And Real will never be the same play as Barcelona.”

Barca to move Messi into midfield

Messi netted 54 times in 52 appearances during the 2016-17 campaign, with that return enough to earn him a fourth Golden Shoe.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, contributed 42 to the Madrid cause, but his efforts saw him land La Liga and Champions League titles – passing the 100-goal mark in the latter of those competitions.

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