Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been locked in a duel for over a decade.

Their’s is a rivalry for the ages, perhaps the finest in sports history. However, Carlos Tevez says the two superstars are ‘totally different’.

While Real Madrid and Barcelona‘s main men, who have both won five Ballons d’Or each, divide opinion and fuel debate, Tevez is certain in his distinction between the two.

“Cristiano is totally different to Messi,” Tevez told ESPN Argentina.

“When Leo was starting out, he didn’t touch a gym. But Cristiano was there in the morning, afternoon and evening, all the time.

“Cristiano had to work and prepare himself to be the best, while for Leo it comes naturally.

“Those are the greatest differences that I see between the two best players on the planet.

The Argentine striker who recently rejoined Boca Juniors after a spell in the Chinese Super League, believes his compatriot is so good, it’s as if he plays a different sport to everyone else.

“Messi plays another sport. For Messi to score three goals [in a game] is normal.”

Tevez has had the benefit of playing alongside both stars, Messi with the national team and Ronaldo at Manchester United.