Retired Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos was arguably the finest full-back on the planet during his time at Real Madrid.

However, towards the end of his time in Spain he came up against Barcelona's teenage sensation Lionel Messi.

Since facing Real Madrid's legendary left-back, Messi has gone on to win five Ballon d'Or's and an incredibly tally of trophies.

A staunch Madridista, Carlos hasn't spoken particularly fondly of the little Argentine forward since hanging up his boots in 2012.

"Messi is phenomenal but in my opinion, Cristiano is a special player because he does everything for Madrid," Carlos told Globoesporte in 2015.

"It is not that Madrid do not have others – [Toni] Kroos, Marcelo - but I think Cristiano is more decisive in Real Madrid than Messi in Barcelona.

"Messi plays with Neymar, [Luis] Suarez, [Andres] Iniesta, [Sergio] Busquets, while Cristiano starts to fight, assist and score from the front. He is a special player."

Cristiano Ronaldo is already a huge a favourite for January's Ballon d'Or ceremony and looks set to equal Messi's Ballon d'Or record.

Carlos, 44, spent nine years in Madrid in which he racked up 584 appearances for 'Los Blancos' in all competitions.

Renowned for his powerful left-foot and breathtaking free kicks, the Brazilian scored 71 goals in the white of Madrid.

In his final season before joining Fenerbahce, Carlos came up against a 19-year-old wonderkid in an 'El Clasico' match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Early in the game, Messi found himself one-on-one with the legendary full-back and made him look like an amateur with his now trademark feint.

The 30-year-old footballing legend has since gone on to humiliate countless more world class defenders - and continues to do so to this very day.

Carlos did the get last laugh in the October 2006 'El Clasico', with Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy on the scoresheet in a 2-0 Galacticos win.

The win proved to be crucial as Fabio Capello's side only won the La Liga title on goal difference.