Chelsea's Joe Cole says Barcelona's Lionel Messi is ahead of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world.
Cole said Messi's form in Barca's Champions League semi-final defeat by United settled the debate.
"Ronaldo's been fantastic but in the semi-final Messi showed he's the top man," said Cole, who will face Ronaldo in next week's Champions League final.
"He is only 20 as well, imagine how good he will be in the next 10 years."
Messi has been linked with a £80m move to Chelsea, and Cole admitted he would be delighted if the speculation proved to be true.
"If we could sign him, I'd love to play alongside him," he added.
Cole's comments will help to crank up the atmosphere ahead of Wednesday's final between United and Chelsea in Moscow.
606: DEBATE
The 23-year-old's 31 league goals were instrumental in United's Premier League title success, and he was named both the Football Writers' Association footballer of the year and PFA player of the year for two years in a row.
But the Portugal winger has been accused of sometimes failing to sparkle on the big stage and many believed he was outshone by Messi over both legs of the Champions League semis.
Chelsea finished two points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the league but Cole's team-mate Florent Malouda believes losing out to United for the title will have little bearing on Wednesday night's result.
"We have the players to overcome the Premier League disappointment. We have the potential to win, we are optimistic for the final," said the Frenchman.
"What makes the difference is to concentrate, to give the best we can for this match.
"I think they [United] deserved to be in the final, they deserved to win the Premier League but for this match we have more things to say."
Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou has urged Didier Drogba to stay at Stamford Bridge.
The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a summer move to AC Milan, but compatriot Kalou said: "I enjoy playing alongside him and I have learned a lot with Didier.
"We will support him whatever his decision is. We don't really talk about contract things but I would love him to stay. He will make the decision but I hope he will stay with us.
"He is one of the best strikers in the world. There is Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres but he has shown he is one of the best in the last couple of years."
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