Former Barcelona star Dani Alves admits that Cristiano Ronaldo is the toughest opponent he has faced, but Neymar and Lionel Messi are superior players.

The Brazilian has come up against Ronaldo on many occasions during his time at Barcelona and Juventus, most recently in the Champions League final defeat in May.

However, the 34-year-old, who played eight seasons with Messi – the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – and three seasons with Neymar at the Camp Nou, maintains that his former Barcelona teammates are better than the Portuguese star.

Alves answered Ronaldo when asked by FIFA TV  who his toughest opponent has been over the years, but said: “I say Messi [is the best of all time] because I’ve seen him play.

“Of the other greats, I have heard what people say about them, but I can’t corroborate it because I haven’t seen them.

“I choose Messi next to Neymar, they are the most spectacular I’ve seen.”