Ronaldinho has argued that Lionel Messi is not the greatest footballer of all-time. 

The Brazil legend was asked for his G.O.A.T pick during a charity event in Mexico and decided against naming his former teammate.

Instead, he suggested that there are at least four names in the conversation.  

"I'm glad for Messi because he's a friend, besides he's been a banner of Barcelona," Ronaldinho said, per Spanish publication AS.

"I don't like comparisons because it's hard to identify who is the best in history, there's Diego Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo. I can't say that Messi is the best ever, he is the best in his time."

Although he hasn't settled the G.O.A.T debate, Ronaldinho did make it clear he's team Messi over team Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Not that his opinion will matter to most CR7 fans. But as his former teammate at Barcelona, Ronaldinho did get to see the Argentine's brilliance up close. 

In fact, he even played a part in mentoring Messi, according to the man himself. 

"Ronaldinho helped me a lot," the Blaugrana forward said before scooping his sixth Ballon d'Or last month.

"I came into the dressing room at 16-17 years of age, seeing all those footballing giants made it tough. But he mentored me and made me feel comfortable, and I loosened up.

"Afterwards on the pitch, I always looked for him but we didn't have many years to enjoy together. 

"Besides, we didn't play as much at that time. I would have liked to play more with Ronaldinho."

Like Messi, there will be a lot of football fans wishing he could have played more with his tricky Brazilian teammate. 

Just imagine the carnage those two would have caused together if they both hit their prime at the same time. 

It's actually quite surprising to hear Ronaldinho doesn't rate Messi as the greatest of all-time, but perhaps he answered rather carefully to avoid causing a storm. 

There's little arguing that Messi isn't the greatest of his own generation, though.