Take Your Pick: Roma & Italy Legend Francesco Totti Weighs in on Endless Ronaldo vs Messi Debate

Roma and Italy legend Francesco Totti has weighed in on the endless Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate, choosing to align himself with the Real Madrid superstar.

Ronaldo and Messi are on the final Best FIFA Men's Player shortlist for 2017, along with €222m Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar.

Totti is backing Ronaldo to take home the prize when it is handed out at the FIFA gala in London next week, although he has infinite respect for both Messi and Neymar as well.

"We are talking about three footballing aliens," Totti told FIFA.com.

"I must say that we always respected each other on and off the field. But I think that, in the end, Ronaldo is ahead of the others," the 2006 World Cup winner explained.

"He had an amazing season and also accomplished all of his goals with the most prestigious of teams," Totti added, referring to Ronaldo's La Liga and Champions League success with Real.

Following FIFA's split with France Football over the Ballon d'Or, Ronaldo beat Messi to the inaugural Best FIFA Men's Player award last year after Champions League success with Real and international glory at Euro 2016 with Portugal.

Messi won a fourth career European Golden Shoe in 2016/17 after 40 La Liga goals to stake his claim for the award this year, but with Barcelona falling short of success behind Real in both domestic and European circles, Ronaldo remains the favourite to win again.

There ceremony will take place at the London Palladium on Monday 23rd October.