Cristiano Ronaldo is the ultimate professional but Lionel Messi is more naturally gifted , according to former team-mate of both superstars Deco . The now-retired 37-year-old played with Messi during their time together at Barcelona , while he has also shared the pitch with Ronaldo as part of Portugal 's national side . While Deco respects both players who have shared the last seven Ballon d'Ors between then , he concedes that Messi hold the edge in terms of pure 'talent ' - although he suggested that another former Barca team-mate Ronaldinho could be better than both . Argentine phenomenon Lionel Messi ( centre ) gets Deco 's vote as the world 's most talented player . Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ( right ) have shared the last seven Ballon d'Or titles between them . The Real Madrid superstar is the game 's consummate professional according to his former team-mate . Jose Mourinho is the best manager in the world according to his former Porto playmaker . ' [ Leo and Cristiano ] are different , ' he told FourFourTwo . 'Messi was born with talent . Cristiano also has talent but it 's amazing how hard he works at it ; how professional he is . 'It 's difficult to pick one but maybe Leo is the best I 've ever played with . Although , Ronaldinho did things that I 've never seen anyone do . ' During the Q & A session , Deco also singled out former Porto manager Jose Mourinho as the best manager he has ever worked with after changing the mentality of Portuguese football . ' I think he 's the best , though I 've had many great coaches : Fernando Santos , Carlo Ancelotti , Felipe Scolari , ' Deco said . 'However , Mourinho brought something different . He brought ambition because in those days in Portugal it was difficult to imagine that one of our clubs could win the Champions League . ' Deco ( left ) and Ronaldo train together while away on international duty with Portugal . Deco played with the Argentina phenomenon during their time together at the Nou Camp . Deco insists that Ronaldinho ( bottom right ) could do things with the ball that others ca n't .
Deco has played with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi . Barcelona international believes Messi shades it in the talent stakes . Former Portugal star hints that Ronaldinho could be better than both .