Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has dismissed talk of a duel between himself and Cristiano Ronaldo when Manchester United arrive at the Nou Camp tonight.

The Argentine will start the first leg of the Champions League semi-final after overcoming a thigh injury and is a key man for his side.

But he said: "More than a duel between me and Ronaldo, this is a game between two big teams.

"I try to do the best I can for my team but who is better [he or Ronaldo] is something for the people who watch football to decide." Messi is looking forward to playing against international team-mate Carlos Tevez. "It is always great to play against another team-mate and a friend. With the quality he has, he is very important for his team," he said.

Messi, who missed Barcelona's Champions League success against Arsenal in the 2006 final through injury, insists his team can beat United. "We believe in ourselves, we only ask for the people to come along and support us," he said.