As the Ballon d'Or race hots up, Gerard Pique has stated that Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is more naturally talented than Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The duo have collectively won the past six awards, with Messi's four triumphs sandwiched in between Ronaldo's accolade for his 2008 performances and last year's success.

As a result both are favourites and battlelines are being drawn, with Uefa president Michel Platini publicly chastised by Real Madrid on Friday for suggesting a German - and not Ronaldo - deserved to win the Ballon d'Or following the nation's World Cup victory.