Former Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Deco has said that Ronaldinho "will always be the best" despite admitting that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have taken the game to a new level.

Ronaldinho was widely regarded as the finest player on the planet during his time at Barcelona, but Messi and Ronaldo have since become the two standout figures in world football.

Deco played with Ronaldinho at Camp Nou between 2004 and 2008, and the Portuguese has lavished praise on the attacker, who also turned out for Gremio, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan during his career in Europe.

"From the outset, it is clear that Leo and Cristiano are the greatest," Deco told AS. "Especially because no one thought they could take so many years to this level, but the one that impressed me most despite not being so decisive was Ronnie. For me, he will always be the best."

Ronaldinho officially retired from professional football earlier this year.