Former Brazil forward Ronaldo has claimed that Lionel Messi does not need to win the World Cup to be considered one of the best players of all time.
Messi has largely failed to match his Barcelona exploits with Argentina, but Ronaldo has insisted that the former Ballon d'Or winner is already one of the best.
"He can win [the World Cup]. He has not retired yet, has he? And he is only 26," Ronaldo told The Times of India.
"Moreover, in the history of football, there are players who did not win the World Cup but are considered as great as any other footballer. If you win the World Cup, it gives your status a boost. However, if you cannot, you can still be among the all-time best.
"I saw [Messi] in Barcelona in his early years there and spoke about him with Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho was full of praise for the boy and when we saw him, we knew why Ronaldinho was so appreciative. Messi is really a different class. To win four consecutive Ballon d'Ors is a great achievement."
Ronaldo won two World Cups with Brazil.
