Dimitar Berbatov believes he has the solution to the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo debate - sharing individual awards.
The two titans of world football have been neck and neck for years now and continue to compete for the top prizes despite Ronaldo making the switch from Real Madrid to Juventus.
There are so many different strands to the debate as to which five-time Ballon d'Or winner is better but former Manchester United man Berbatov says we should simply accept that the two are on the same level.
"Ronaldo versus Messi, how can you separate them? I think they should get their awards and give it to both of them. All the time. You can't say this one is better than the other," the Bulgarian told Goal.
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"Ronaldo wants them all because he is so ambitious. He is desperate to break this record then that record. Messi is not showing it but inside and when he is at home then he probably thinks, 'I will f***ing destroy everybody'. When you are good, you know you are good. Why shy away from that?"
Messi got the upper hand in the most recent awards as he picked up the FIFA Men's Best Player following a sublime 51-goal season for Barcelona last term.
One cannot foresee the pair being accepting of sharing individual awards given their drive and determination to be the best but their relationship these days is a healthy one.
The pair were seen in conversation throughout their time sat together for the UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Monaco.
Ronaldo had some great words to say about their lengthy battle at the top - extending an invitation for dinner to Messi and showing that there is incredible respect between the duo.
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"I shared this stage with him (Messi) for 15 years," Ronaldo said.
"I don't know if it has ever happened before in football - the same two guys in the same stage all the time. Of course we have a good relationship - we have not had dinner together yet, but I hope so in the future.
"We have that battle, he pushed me and I pushed him as well. It's great to be a part of the history of football. I am there, and of course, he is as well."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, Messi, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov, Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo
