Former Boca Juniors goalkeeper Hugo Gatti has claimed that the only way Lionel Messi can prove he is the best player in the world is to move to Real Madrid and show that he can achieve what Cristiano Ronaldo did.

Although Messi produced a spectacular performance in Barcelona’s 5-1 win against Real Valladolid on Tuesday – scoring a brace and assisting another two – his compatriot isn’t convinced that he can do the same against big clubs.

“It seems as if I am anti-Argentine, but until Messi plays in the big games, he will continue to be a player of home games,” Gatti told the TV show ‘El Chiringuito de Jugones’.

“He has to have balls to go to Real Madrid and prove everything there like Cristiano [Ronaldo did].

“Otherwise he will be just one more [player].

“Cristiano went to the best club in the world. Messi plays at home, on his pitch with everything [that comes with that in terms of home comforts].

“Let him play in the Champions League and the World Cup, otherwise he will always be one more.

“When he plays there, he will fight with [Johan] Cruyff, [Diego] Maradona and Pele.

“Messi plays when they let him play. It’s very easy to play with everything in your favour at home.”