Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golders

Former Liverpool star Fabio Aurelio has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo “cannot be compared” to Lionel Messi after the Argentine’s explosive performance in the Champions League semi final.

The 39-year-old Brazilian, who won two La Liga titles with Valencia before his move to Anfield in 2006, was giving his opinion on the first leg of the Champions League semi final which saw Barcelona destroy Liverpool 3-0 at the Camp Nou.

During the explosive tie, Messi played a starring role and scored two goals to give his side a huge advantage ahead of the return leg, including a memorable free kick that flew into the top corner and became the Argentine’s 600th goal for the Catalan club.

Pictures Credit: Golders/@fcbarcelona & Golders/@f.aurelio

In the radio interview, Aurelio said: “Some people compare Messi to Cristiano, but Leo is incomparable.”

“Messi is hard to explain. For me, every year he is the best player in the world and [against Liverpool] he showed so much desire to play.”

When asked about Liverpool’s chances of overturning a three-goal deficit at Anfield, the former club player said: “If they had scored [an away goal], it could be realistic. But at 3-0 and from what we have seen of Messi and Barca, I think it will be very difficult. They are stronger than last year.”

When asked about Valencia’s chances in the UEFA Europa League, Aurelio said that it would be “phenomenal” for his former club to make the final, but believes that “fine lines will determine” who faces Chelsea or Eintracht Frankfurt on 29th May.