Lionel Messi is a tougher opponent than Cristiano Ronaldo, says Thiago Silva, a man who has faced both the Barcelona and Real Madrid superstars.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender has tested himself against the best in the business at club level and on an international stage with Brazil.
He is, therefore, better placed than most to pass judgement on which of the mercurial talents poses the greatest threat.
In Silva’s opinion, Messi just edges a man with whom he has shared 10 Ballon d’Or awards , with the Argentine forward proving more difficult to contain that his Portuguese rival.