Real Madrid legend Guti has said that he thinks Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Guti, who quit football last month, played alongside the Portuguese winger towards the end of his career. He also faced Barcelona and Messi on numerous occasions.

Now the 35-year-old has entered the debate on who is the world's best player ahead of this weekend's El Clasico.

"I think both Messi and Cristiano are great players, but Messi is better," he told Punto Pelota.

Guti also insisted that Real Madrid must win in order to close the gap on Barcelona.

He continued: "For Barcelona, there are three points at stake, for Madrid it's a final, because if they lose the difference is 11 points."

Real Madrid face Barcelona on Sunday evening.