Thierry Henry explained what Lionel Messi did after getting angry in Barcelona training that left him asking 'can Ronaldo do that'

With Lionel Messi still scoring for fun at Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo signing a new bumper contract at Al Nassr, the never-ending debate over which player is better is still no closer to an answer.

Messi's Inter Miami are in the mix to retain their Supporter's Shield given to the MLS side with the best regular-season record, and they take on New York Red Bulls this weekend. Messi has 16 goals and eight assists from 17 appearances so far this season, while he also shone at the Club World Cup recently.

His motivation shows no sign of slowing, which bring backs memories of a tale from a Barcelona training session in 2009, as former teammate recalled an incident involving an 'angry' Messi and his coach Pep Guardiola.

Lionel Messi enjoyed some of the best football of his career under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. (Image: Getty)

Henry played alongside Messi for three years after signing from Arsenal and remembers his amazement at Messi's attitude in training - including one time when the Argentine got angry with Pep Guardiola.

In quotes relayed through Rio Ferdinand's autobiography, Henry told the ex-Manchester United defender of a time when Messi was fouled in training but Guardiola did not award a free kick.

"So when the ball went back to his goalkeeper, he (Messi) ran back and demanded the ball," Henry said. "The goalkeeper rolled him the ball, and Messi then proceeded to run through the entire team and score in anger."

Messi and Ronaldo's rivalry has defined modern football. (Image: Getty)

Ferdinand added: "Thierry said that was what he used to do in the playground at school. I did stuff like that too against little kids. But he (Messi) did it against some of the best in the world: Yaya Toure, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets. And it wasn't just that one time. He did it a couple of times."

"Thierry said: 'Can Ronaldo do that?' I said, 'Well, I've never seen him do that.' Thierry played with Zidane and Ronaldinho but they never did anything like that. He said: 'That's when I knew Messi was different to anyone we've ever seen'."