Former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has sensationally snubbed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the toughest players he faced in his career.
The 36-year-old played against some of the very best players in world football throughout his career, and has now named his toughest opponents.
However, the player he names ahead of Ronaldo and Messi will no doubt surprise many.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Ireland revealed why the generational pair are not the toughest players he has faced as he said: 'Lionel Messi played [against me], he wasn't good.