Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelloti intimated in an interview that he would pick a different player over four-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi because of the luxury of having Cristiano Ronaldo.

"If I could sign one player for Real Madrid, it wouldn't be Messi, I'd rather reinforce another position," Ancelloti told Radio Capital.

"We have Cristiano, who needs Messi? God gave him [Ronaldo] a special gift."

On a lighter note, the Italian mentor joked that Real should be first to know, should Messi be placed on the transfer list.

"If Barca sell Messi, they should call us", he added.

Messi, who has been marred by injuries in the ongoing 2013/14 season, is still favourite to win the Ballon d'Or, according to Ronaldo, the Brazilian.

"Messi has been playing a huge amount of games for five years, and has been the biggest star in the world of football. Now with this injury, which is not that serious but is making him miss lots of games, maybe he is getting some rest so he can recharge his batteries," Ronaldo told Marca.

"I think that Messi will win it again."