Real Madrid hero Ivan Zamorano rates Barcelona star Lionel Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zamorano admits he's reluctant to compare the two.

"Ronaldo or Messi, [Diego] Maradona or Pele, [Johan] Cruyff or [Marco] van Basten, Marcelo Salas or Zamorano... Why should we have to choose," Zamorano told Marca.

"Ronaldo and Messi are both amazing and stand out from the rest. Maybe Messi is a more complete player, but they are both incredible players."