Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insists Cristiano Ronaldo is BETTER than Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The Portuguese coach also said former Manchester United star Ronaldo had had a tougher career than his Argentine rival.

He said: "It is harder to be Cristiano than Messi. Messi grew up in the team where he plays, with the players with whom he plays.

"Not Cristiano. He was in England, then they put him here in a losing team. He had to grow over the last two years with this team which has been forming.

"One (Messi) plays as a (number) 9 and roams around in those 50 square metres where the distance to goal is smaller and defence less intense.

"The other (Ronaldo) plays as a winger. How does a winger score as many goals as a number 9? Besides, Ronaldo is a player who is not protected by anyone."