PSG defender says Lionel Messi is harder to defend than Cristiano Ronaldo

Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva says Lionel Messi is tougher to defend than Cristiano Ronaldo.

He made the comments this weekend when talking to the French media.

"It's harder to defend against Leo Messi than Cristiano Ronaldo," Silva said, according to Le10Sport.

"Cristiano deserved to win everything he's won in his career. This year is a bit harder for him but it's not over yet. He could still win the next Ballon d'Or."

"The little difference between them is that Messi, with the ball, one on one, or even against two, is difficult to stop."

Silva, 33, has played with PSG since 2012, but spent some of his youth career with Barcelona. PSG faces Real Madrid in Champions League action at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. They face off again at 2:45 p.m. on March 6.

Messi, 30, has 20 goals in La Liga this season, while Ronaldo, 33, has eight scores in the Spanish league. Messi has 27 goals and 13 assists in 34 total appearances this season. Ronaldo has 20 goals and four assists in 27 appearances. Last season, Messi netted 54 goals and had 16 assists in 52 appearances, while Ronaldo had 42 goals and 12 assists in 46 games.

Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d'Or award in December, matching the Argentine sensation. The other Ronaldo - - who won the award in 1997 and 2002 -- recently told SRF Sport that he thinks Silva's teammate Neymar Jr. could win the award next.

"He has everything to win the Ballon d'Or in Paris," Ronaldo said.