'Messi a tougher opponent than Ronaldo'

'Messi simply cannot be stopped by yourself. Ronaldo is easier because he is more about athletic prowess', Beyern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng told 'Sport Bild'.

'But Ronaldo has changed his game. He now focuses less on dribbling and more on the end product. That is more difficult to defend against because he has incredible timing. But I think Messi is a slightly tougher opponent', he added.

Along with Messi and Ronaldo, the German international also placed Neymar, Hazard and Benzema on his list of most difficult players to play against.

Boateng's Bayern Munich have overcome Barcelona in three matches out of four in the Champions League. However, the memory of Messi leaving Boateng on his backside as he scored the opener in Barca's 3-0 win persists.

At international level, Boateng's Germany have beaten Messi's Argentina in both fixtures that have been played, the last of which was the World Cup final in 2014.

Against Ronaldo, Boateng has lost the last four matches at club level, with the striker scoring five goals in the last two games in the Champions League semi-finals. Germany, with Boateng at the back, have come out on top when facing Portugal.