Brasilia, Dec 27 (IANS): Argentine striker Lionel Messi is the best football player in the world, according to most Brazilian footballers who responded a survey by the portal UOL Esporte.

According to the poll, the striker from Spanish club Barcelona was praised by 90 percent of 100 players from 15 Brazilians clubs who were consulted, the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

In second place was Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo, with only seven percent of the votes, while the third spot, with merely one percent, was shared by Spanish players Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, and Brazilian Neymar da Silva.

Da Silva, however, was voted the best Brazilian player at present by 89 percent of respondents.

UOL Esporte made it clear that the Brazilian players voted anonymously and play for renowned teams like Sao Paulo, Corinthians, Santos, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense, Botafogo and International.