Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards says it was "impossible" to stop Lionel Messi when he played against the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
The 31-year-old, who made 179 appearances for the reigning Premier League champions, spoke about the greatest of all time in an interview.
Richards suggested the Barcelona forward was "harder to play against" than Cristiano Ronaldo.
In fact, the two-time Premier League winner claimed that he "kept Ronaldo quiet on a couple of occasions" when he played against Manchester United between 2005 and 2009.
When asked who the GOAT is, the former City, Aston Villa and Fiorentina right-back was complimentary of them both, but one man stood out on the pitch.
"I have to say Lionel Messi." Richards said. "Just because I've played against Ronaldo and I kept him quiet on a couple of occasions."
Was it really that easy?
"I wouldn't say easy." he laughs. "We went to Old Trafford and I played well against him whereas I couldn't get anywhere near Messi. He was different guy.
"He drops into pockets of space that you don't want to be in. You think you've got him and then he just turns so quick. You can't have a plan for him. As soon as he gets the ball, just try and foul him. Stop him from getting into his rhythm. That calibre of player. It's just impossible to stop him.
"They are two of the greatest players of all time, the numbers speak for themselves, but I'd say Lionel Messi is harder to play against."
Richards also named Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale as one of his toughest opponents, claiming he's never played against someone who "skinned" him that many times.
"If Bale got past you, there was no chance of catching him." he said.
"There was this one game at White Hart Lane, and Gareth Bale tore me to shreds. The game ended 0-0 because Harty was unbelievable that day. I've never played against someone who skinned me that many times.
"Normally, because I was physical and fast, I'd always get back and put a tackle in not with Gareth Bale. He was just on a different level.
"I would have taken him at Manchester City before we got Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva. I still think he's got a lot to give. All this speculation about how his bad attitude is wrong - he is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet."
mheedowsky25
568
I'm so surprised when some fans mixed talents with hardwork. Some be like Messi is talented and Ronaldo is hardworking. Both Player are talented and hardworking but the way they developed themselves are quite different from each other. Just tell me aprofessional footballer that is not talented nor hardworking because it always seems strange to me and kind of weakens me whenever I heard the two words
iradukundaeric
517
always tough to face this guy
FaithEvans
485
Nothing we haven't quite heard or known before, his compliments of Gareth Bale though, very original, profound and insightful, reminder of the Welsh dragon we used to love and rate very highly!
niaaimr
361
every defender, coach, goalkeeper ect, is always Alfred of facing Messi one guy who can do everything by him self, not a box player who wait for other's to chew and gives him to swallow, but he is still campare to deos who are base on one thing and still comes best in all them.
Jimmy2
313
we all know that Messi is more naturally talented than Cristiano Ronaldo, However Cristiano Ronaldo practically archived everything Messi archived wth less talent but more Hard work. so if i wr to use a player to inspire young people i would use Ronaldo because not everyone can have messi talent. but can still achieve
Nesaiknruy_Legend
294
Naturally 1v1 Messi is unstoppable in comparison to any player in the entire world. His dribbling is 2nd to none and he has the vision of legends of the game on too of an eye for goal. Most dangerous player any team can face by miles.
Akechandy
240
We totally understand what you faced in life... and Messi is the worst.
Mosanya
223
"It feels good to be in the same generation as him. I believe he’s the best player in the history of the sport.
Klaus1000
155
I am a ronaldo fan of course Messi cuz of his movement on the ball Messi is a magician so expect him to perform wonders all the time but Ronaldo is a machine who can change a game anytime he inspires us, sometimes Ronaldo seems harder to mark than Messi,Ask atletico, Wales, bayern, Juventus, Sevilla, Spain, Barcelona, Ronaldo too is hard to mark though you can keep him quiet sometimes but he can malfunction at the same time