Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are without a doubt two of the world’s greatest footballers currently and maybe even of all time.As they compete for the FIFA footballer of the year award, for fans it really comes down to personal preference as the two easily compare with Pele, Maradona and Ronaldo.In my opinion, Lionel Messi has certainly taken over from the great Zinedene Zidane as the world’s best player but he is receiving stiff competition from Cristiano Ronaldo.Messi has led Barcelona to several Spanish league titles over recent years while also winning the Champions League numerous times, thus showing good reason why he is rated by many as the world’s best, and there are even some who would go as far as saying that he has earned the right to be called the best of all times.Ronaldo and his fans would beg to differ and it is obvious he is not letting Messi have things all his way and could go on to steal the lime light away from Messi this time around.Last year Ronaldo had an outstanding, unbelieveable, year in the Spanish La Liga. He broke the Spanish league scoring record by scoring 40 goals in all, with 11 goals coming in his last four games.Without a doubt last season was by far his best season to date, hence the reason many think he will clip Messi this time around for the prestigious award.Comparing Messi to Maradona, we can see that they are very similar players. Both are short players with amazing skill.Their ability to dribble and eliminate a defender is a skill that no-one else does better. However, the one skill that often goes unnoticed is their team-work, in running off the ball, creating space, combination play and endless running, all characteristics of a great player.Comparing Ronaldo to Pele we can see that they are two of the most complete players we’ve ever seen.Their biggest asset is their knack for scoring goals. Unlike many other players they possess two good feet and use them at will, making marking them virtually impossible. They also have the natural ability to head the ball, both very strong in the air adding to their complete package.To separate them, you have to look at how many league and Champions League titles they have won with the ultimate decider on how they have performed on the world stage for their respective countries.The ability to lead a country to become World Cup champions is a factor that separates them, hence the reason why Pele and Maradona are still rated the best of all times. Until Messi and Ronaldo can perform and carry their country to the pinnacle of football then and only then can they be put in the same category as Pele and Maradona.Pele won the World Cup three times while Maradona won it once with Argentina.Pele was named Footballer of the Century and better known as “The King of Football”. Maradona on the other hand was so dominant in 1986 when Argentina won the World Cup that he claimed the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player. His outstanding goal against England when he dribbled past six players was voted “The Goal of the Century”.It is these types of feats that Messi and Ronaldo have yet to accomplish, but who is to say they won’t in the future.Both players have the capability to achieve the same heights that Maradona and Pele achieved, but in reality they can’t and won’t be considered great and in the same class until they go on to win the ultimate prize, that being the World Cup.As every World Cup passes the pressure mounts on both Ronaldo and Messi to perform and lead their country t glory. The reality is both could go their entire football career searching for it and never achieving it. Only time will tell, so as we wait in great anticipation we realise that the great thing about sports is that it leaves you craving and wanting more.