Messi v Ronaldo row leads to stabbing death

A row over whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer in the world has led to a Nigerian man being charged with the murder of his friend.

Police in India confirmed a Nigerian national Michael Chukwuma, 21, stabbed his 34-year-old compatriot Obina Durumchukwu in a Mumbai suburb on Sunday following an argument.

"The two men were discussing football players. One is a fan of Messi and the other was for Ronaldo," a police inspector said.

"During the conversation a quarrel took place. The deceased threw a glass into the face of the accused person.

"The glass broke and caused small injuries. After that the accused took the broken glass and assaulted the deceased person who died due to heavy bleeding."

It is understood the flat owner was asleep when the altercation began, but was woken up by the noise.

He saw Obina lying in a pool of blood and immediately called the police and the hospital, but it was too late.

The two men are believed to have been attending a birthday party with other Nigerian nationals when the row broke out.

In January, Messi claimed the Ballon d'Or title for a record fifth time. Ronaldo has received the award on three occasions.