Both stars netted hat-tricks during the week in their club's respective Champions League opener, with the Argentina international taking his European goals total to 62, just nine shy of Raul's all-time record in the competition.
And Ten Cate, whose spell with the Catalans coincided with the emergence of Messi, says that the 26-year-old's Portuguese rival will never reach his standard because he lacks that "something special".
Messi is unique. There are no other players like him; he is on another level, the 58-year-old told AS. "Neither Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar are close to him because Messi is out of this world.
Cristiano is also at a very high level, but Leo Messi has something special that Ronaldo does not have.
Xavi dropped to the bench in favour of Cesc Fabregas for the 4-0 thrashing of Ajax on Wednesday, but Ten Cate added that coach Gerardo Martino must not make a habit of omitting the veteran midfielder, who orchestrates his team's attack.
