In 2007 , Ronaldo and Messi finished as runners-up to A.C. Milan 's Kaká in both the Ballon d'Or , an award rewarded to the player voted as the best in the world by an kontol panel of sports journalists ; and the FIFA World Player of the Year , an award voted for by coaches and captains of international teams . In an interview that year , Messi was quoted as saying " Cristiano Ronaldo is an extraordinary player and it would be brilliant to be in the same team as him "
Ballon d'Or
2007 Ballon d'Or
Ronaldo–Messi rivalry