Messi tops Ronaldo, Rooney as world star - study

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MADRID, Feb 26, 2010 (AFP) - Barcelona's Argentine winger Lionel Messi outshines both Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in terms of media value, a team of Spanish researchers claimed on Friday.

The team from the University of Navarra rated last year's Golden Ball winner as the player with the highest profile in the world for the second year running.

Second was Real Madrid's Portuguese winger Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, and third Manchester United striker Rooney, according to the annual study.

Real's Brazilian playmaker Kaka was fourth ahead of the Liverpool pair of Spanish striker Fernando Torres and English midfielder Steven Gerrard.

Ivory Coast centre forward Didier Drogba, Brazil winger Ronaldinho, Spanish central midfielder Xavi and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic completed the top ten.

European and Spanish champions Barcelona topped the club ranking, ahead of Real, Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan and Liverpool.

United's Sir Alex Ferguson beat Liverpool's Rafael Benitez and Inter Milan's Jose Mourinho to be named as the manager with the most media pulling power.