Ronaldo continued his stunning year by scooping the FIFA Player of the Year prize after firing Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League titles. Messi, meanwhile, had to make do with second place with Barcelona's failure to win the two biggest trophies available to them costing him the chance of winning the accolade for a sixth time. And journalist Eduardo Inda claims the two players had a secret chat last night, away from the glare of the cameras. Inda claims Messi told Cristiano Ronaldo that he deserved to win the award, saying he had been better with him this year despite the Barcelona star outscoring his fierce rival.

Cristiano Ronaldo in pictures Tue, December 19, 2017 Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in pictures. Play slideshow Instagram/georginagio 1 of 17 Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend shares sweet family photo after birth of their fi

Inda said: "Messi is a ten out of 10 player and as a person and has behaved as he is, has approached Cristiano Ronaldo and said: 'This year you have been better you and you have deserved more than I and I congratulate you.' "He has shown that he knows how to lose and that he recognizes what has happened, he has behaved very well." Inda also adds Real Madrid players used the occasion to express their disappointment to Leonardo Bonucci that he chose to swap Juventus for AC Milan back in the summer. "They talked to Bonucci and they have said that it is a shame that he has not gone to Real Madrid, is a player who was closer to Real Madrid than what people believe."

GETTY Ronaldo: The Real Madrid star had a secret chat with Barcelona's Lionel Messi

GETTY Ronaldo: Real Madrid star beat Lionel Messi to be crowned FIFA's best player