As well as he plays at the Euros, Cristiano Ronaldo cannot escape from the shadow of the absent Leo Messi, his rival for the title of ‘best player in the world’.

Messi has been acclaimed as the best there is three times to once for Ronaldo but their ongoing battle for supremacy is an interesting sideshow in the Real Madrid versus Barcelona battle while both are additionally constantly reminded that, unlike Pele and Diego Maradona they have never won an international title.

Lip-reading supporters maintain that Ronaldo shouted out “Messi” after his goal against the Czechs at the Euros last week – though the former insists that on the contrary he was simply dedicating his effort to his son Cristiano Junior.

He did, however, note amid criticism of his first two performances for Portugal that Messi was “this time last year exiting the Copa America” with hosts Argentina in the quarter-finals.

Former Real great Alfredo di Stefano has now entered the debate, telling reporters he is with Ronaldo in the who is best argument.

“I have not seen all the Euro 2012 action but Cristiano Ronaldo is having a fantastic tournament. He scored a really great goal against the Czech Republic. He is a very complete player – a striker who is there to score the goals,” said the Argentina-born legend.

Yet, Di Stefano admits he has a special reason to give Ronaldo the nod – and not necessarily on grounds of talent.

“Messi and Cristiano are two huge players but I want to single out as the best in the world a player from Real Madrid,” he explained.

Real defender and Portugal team-mate Pepe, who is a close friend of Ronaldo, also makes his colleague his number one.

“Cristiano is the boss. He always wants to improve and give the maximum and he has shown again he is the best in the world – not just of this world either – I’d say he is out of this world, an extra-terrestrial.”

Messi has meanwhile tried to skirt around the debate of which of the two is better.

“I have nothing to say,” he said diplomatically – although he did say he wanted Spain who the Portuguese meet in the semis – to win the tournament.

“I have to admit I am not really following the Euros and I don’t have a clear favourite but I’d like Spain to win given all the friends I have over there.”