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Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has weighed in on the debate surrounding Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and which player is the better, citing the former's ability to shine on any stage.

Appearing at an event for golfer Rory McIlroy's foundation, the Scotsman was asked about his former pupil and Messi, and while he praised the latter, he―understandably―leaned toward Ronaldo, per the Irish Independent's Will Slattery:

When the ball is at Messi's feet it is like he is wearing slippers. But there is a difference between Messi and Ronaldo and I'll tell you what it is. I think Messi is a Barcelona player but Ronaldo could be playing for Stockport County and he would score a hat-trick. He is brilliant in the air and he has two feet.

Messi's team-mate Luis Suarez finished the 2015-16 Spanish league campaign as top scorer, the first time since 2009 that honour didn't go to either Messi or Ronaldo. That statistic is telling and highlights the incredible level the two have played at the last few years.

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They've shared every Ballon d'Or award since 2008, with Ronaldo winning his first as a member of United, before he moved to the Spanish capital in 2009.

The rivalry between the world's two best players has led to countless debates among fans and pundits, and Eurosport UK even have a weekly column on the very subject, per Graham Ruthven:

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Ronaldo played under Ferguson between 2003 and 2009, so it shouldn't come as surprise to see the Red Devils legend pick the Portugal international.

Ferguson also called Gary Neville an “ordinary, average player” who got where he did through practice, and saying a top athlete's best quality is “total concentration,” something Bryan Robson had.

He also explained what it was like losing the title to rivals Manchester City on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign, when Sergio Aguero scored his iconic last-second goal to guide the Citizens past Queens Park Rangers:

For 30 seconds we were champions. I had to walk down the tunnel and John O'Shea was there. He was playing for Sunderland and he saw me and he just said 'Boss, what can I say? I went into the dressing room and I told the players when they were doing any media interviews just to say congratulations to City and that we were going to win the league the following year.

Ferguson then guided United to the title the next season and promptly retired, leaving behind an incredible legacy. He won an incredible 13 league titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies with United, becoming one of the most celebrated managers in football history in the process.

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