Paris Saint-Germain midfielder David Beckham has said that Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is better than Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

The English midfielder believes that the Argentina international is in a class of his own and is above the level of all other footballers in the world.

"They have similarities in their technical skills and talent, and it is amazing for football to have them both present, but Messi is simply the best player in the world," Beckham told Argentine news agency Telam.

"He is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him. He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest."

Messi has won the FIFA Ballon d'Or for the past four years.