Sir Alex Ferguson: "Ronaldo could play for any club; Messi I'm not so sure"

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has weighed into the Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo debate.

Ronaldo played under the Scottish coach at Old Trafford before his move to Real Madrid, and the two still have a good relationship. 

Perhaps that is why Ferguson feels the Portuguese international is a more adaptable player than Messi.

The 73-year-old conceded Messi could be the world's best player, but questioned whether he'd be effective in a side other than Barcelona.

"People say, who is the best player in the world? Plenty of people say Messi, and you can't dispute that opinion," Ferguson said in an interview with the BBC:

"But Ronaldo could play for Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers or anyone, and score a hat-trick in a game. I'm not sure Messi could do that.

"Ronaldo has got two feet, quick, good in the air, brave -- Messi is brave of course, I just think Messi is a Barcelona player."