Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson rates Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Ferguson has given his insight on what makes his ex-charge Ronaldo the pick of the pair, as he spoke as a guest at 'An Evening with Rory McIlroy' in Dublin.

“It's interesting to me that we hear so much about two players these days: Ronaldo and Messi ," the Scot said alongside the former World No.1 golfer.

“Now don't get me wrong, Messi is a fantastic player, it's like he's wearing slippers when he controls the ball. But here, for me, is the difference. Messi is a Barcelona player.

“But Ronaldo could play for Stockport County and score a hat-trick. He has everything. He can shoot with both feet, head the ball, he's as brave as a lion, and here's something else people overlook."