Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane makes brave claim

Barcelona's Messi and Ronaldo, of Real Madrid, are considered as two of the best players to ever have played the game and there is much debate as to who is the best.

Varane has been asked his opinion on the subject in a long-ranging interview with Spanish newspaper AS.

However, the defender refused to name Ronaldo as the better player, despite working with him every day in training.

Instead, the centre-back sat on the fence and revealed his admiration for both men.

“It is impossible to answer,” Varane said.

“Cristiano I see him every day and every day he impresses me.

“Messi I see less times… The impressive thing about Cristiano is that he always surpasses himself.

“He has achieved everything and keeps thinking about what he can do better. In training he gets angry when he loses, when he does not score a goal.

“It is his greatest strength, it is mental.

“I do not understand how you can criticise Cristiano. With what he has done and what he continues to do, how can you criticise him?

“If any player dreams about his career, that is impressive.

“You can not criticise.”

However, Varane did claim that Ronaldo is better than Messi when playing as a striker.

“Cristiano, every day more, looks more like a nine, who looks for the goal, the area makes movements that… if the ball arrives you can not do anything,” he added.