Real Madrid defender Pepe says teammate Arjen Robben is a better player than Barcelona star Lionel Messi. Pepe insists Real can still reign in runaway leaders Barca and declared: "Barcelona was very good against Atletico Madrid, but we still believe that it is possible to catch them and win the Liga.

"Barca still have to come to our house and they know it will be difficult for them. The most important thing for us is to go game to game."

Asked about a comparison between Messi and Robben, Pepe said: "Both are in great form, they are the two best players in the league and make the difference.

"If I had to choose, it is easy to say Robben, because he's a teammate, but they are both very good."