Former La Liga midfielder Derek Boateng reckons Lionel Messi edges out Cristiano Ronaldo in the greatest of all time debate, which has divided fans, former and current players, and experts.Messi and Ronaldo are undoubtedly two of the best ever to set foot on a football field. During their illustrious careers spanning more than two decades, the duo have scored goals and won big titles galore with club and country. Still going strong, Messi (896) has scored nearly 900 times, while Ronaldo (954) has his eyes on reaching a four-figure goal tally.Acknowledging that Messi and Ronaldo are different types of players and deserves respect for their achievements and impact on the game, Boateng said on SPOTIFY FM (via YEN):"For me, I think they are different types of players," he began. Ronaldo has everything: the physique, the height, the body, the pace, and the power, but then you have Messi. "Even when you are standing on the field with him, you don't respect him, but when he touches the ball, you will respect him. "The former Getafe, Rayo Vallecano and Eibar midfielder explained why he considers Messi to be better than Ronaldo:"He (Messi) is different; sometimes I feel he is not a human being, with the way he plays. He plays the game how he wants. "Sometimes, in games where things are not going in Ronaldo's favour, he tries to do things that will bring the game to him, but for Messi, he always waits for the game to come to him. So, for me, both are top players, but when you ask me personally, I will always pick Messi in my team." While Boateng - who also played for Ghana between 2001 and 2013 - retired following a brief stint with Greek club OFI Crete in 2017, Ronaldo and Messi are still active, albeit in different leagues."Lionel Messi better than me? I don't agree" - Cristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo (left) and Lionel MessiCristiano Ronaldo has respect for his arch-rival Lionel Messi but doesn't believe that the Argentine is better than him. The Portuguese plies his club football at Al-Nassr while Messi is at Inter Miami.During an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan in November, Ronaldo was asked his opinion about a perception that Messi is better than the Portuguese. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner responded (as per beIN SPORTS):“Messi better than me? I don’t agree with that opinion. I don’t want to be humble.”Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are expected to feature at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year, where the Portuguese will look to win the competition for the first time.