Sir Alex Ferguson - Messi or Ronaldo?

It's the question that most football fans have been asking over the past few seasons. Who do you think is better - Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Sir Alex Ferguson will be at the Bernabeu to judge for himself when Barcelona's Argentinian phenomenon goes head-to-head with Real Madrid's Portuguese superstar.

The United boss hopes he will have to deal with one of them in the Champions League final at Wembley after securing a 2-0 first leg lead against Schalke but admits it's difficult to choose between the two.

Of course, he knows Ronaldo inside out from working with him at Old Trafford and still has great admiration for the former Reds goal-machine.

"Well, I had Ronaldo here as a player and I think he is the best player in the world," Sir Alex told ManUtd.com. "He can play with both feet, he has fantastic skill, strength and bravery, and he’s a greater header of the ball. But Messi is an absolutely fantastic player also.

"It’s difficult to choose between the two, it’s the toss of a coin.

"It depends on how you view your player. The fact that I had Ronaldo here so long, I know him well. I saw how he dedicated himself in training sessions to becoming the best player in the world and so that would weigh heavily on my view of him as a player and as a person.

"But you look at the boy Messi and you know that he’s a serious player. He loves playing football. He’s as brave as a lion because he will always take the ball in any situation. They are different types of players but there’s no doubt both provide a fantastic end product."