15 January,2009 08:52 AM IST | | Agencies
Cristiano Ronaldo may have walked off with all the main individual awards for 2008, but former world player of the year Rivaldo and Real Madrid striker Arjen Robben believe Barcelona ace Lionel Messi is the game's leading star.
Ronaldo this week added the FIFA World Player of the Year title to his FIFPro and Ballon d'Or awards after last season scoring 42 goals to help Manchester United win the Champions League and Primera Liga.
In the eyes of 1999 winner Rivaldo, it is the Argentine ace who is top dog. "Between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, I go with Messi. For me he is the best in the world," said the former Brazil international.
Robben empasised with Rivaldo's view. "For me, Messi is the best player in the world. What more can I say? I think he is in incredible form, he's on another planet, he's the best, he's different," said Robben.
"Cristiano is very good, but I'm with Leo. For me, Messi is more aggressive than Cristiano," said Rivaldo.
