Brazil striker Ronaldo admits he wishes Argentinian starlet Lionel Messi was lining up alongside him at this summer's World Cup finals.

The Real Madrid striker has nothing but admiration for the teenage Barcelona frontman who has set La Liga alight this season as his side look to retain their league title.

"I would have loved that Messi was Brazilian. He's incredible," Ronaldo told Rio de Janeiro newspaper O Globo.

"From the new generation of players, he is the player of the moment."

Defending champions Brazil face Croatia, Australia and Japan in Group F at the World Cup, while Argentina have been paired with Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro and Holland.

Former Nou Camp star Ronaldo has set his sights on facing arch-rivals Argentina in the World Cup final, in a contest which he believes is "the biggest derby in the world."

"It would be great, even more if we (Brazil) win that final. But they (Argentina) deserve respect and consideration. Argentina have an excellent national team," he added.

The Brazilian is also looking to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer when the finals take place in Germany.

The Real Madrid ace is just three goals away from beating Germany's Gerd Muller record of 14 goals, but knows he will have a tough test on his hands.

"It's a very special motivation," said Ronaldo, who was top scorer at the 2002 World Cup with eight goals.

"But the fight for being the World Cup's top-scorer again won't be easy, as Thierry Henry, Hernan Crespo, Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy are excellent strikers as well," added Ronaldo, who hopes to have clean bill of health at the finals having been hit by injury during the current season with Real Madrid.

His latest problem has been a calf injury which saw him replaced in the first half of Real's Primera Liga fixture against Villarreal at the weekend and is set to keep him out of action for three weeks.

"Things have not been the best for me so far but football is a contact sport. I have had two separate muscle injuries so far this term, but I hope that I can put them behind me now and concentrate on doing well for my club, and at the World Cup," he said.