Kyle Walker says there is just one player 'in the same bracket' as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Kyle Walker believes only one player in world football is 'in the same bracket' as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo and Messi have been at one another's throats over the last 15 years to decide who is the greatest of all time.

The duo went at it directly during their time at Real Madrid and Barcelona, constantly setting records for the other to match.

No other player has been able to match their greatness in that time.

Both are approaching the end of their careers, with Messi at Inter Miami and Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

It means there's never been a better time to try and move ahead in the pecking order and become the undisputed best player in the world.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are the best candidates to take up the mantle, while Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. are in that bracket just below.

Surprisingly, City veteran Walker has picked one of his current teammates and claims he's already in that elite bracket alongside Ronaldo and Messi.

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The man in question is Kevin De Bruyne, who returned from a long-term hamstring injury on Saturday evening to inspire City to a 3-2 win over Newcastle United.

De Bruyne was selected in the FIFPro Team of the Year for a fourth consecutive year and Walker heaped praise on the midfielder.

The England international declared: "I think there's only certain players, the likes of Messi and Ronaldo, that you can say are in the same bracket as Kevin – Kevin goes into that bracket for me.

"When he came on against Newcastle, you could feel that push, you could feel that energy and that excitement. He gives you a lift and Kevin is at his best when he's on the ball playing passes that you don't think are even visible to play."

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Walker and De Bruyne joined Ruben Dias, John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Haaland in the Team of the Year after winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

When asked about his connection with fellow defenders Dias and Stones, Walker replied: "We built a real connection last season, whether it was me or John playing at right back, or Ruben, who was a big part of that.

"He commands a lot of the defence, which probably goes unnoticed, and he deserves a lot of credit."

City are currently second in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Liverpool.