Messi is "more complete" than Cristiano Ronaldo - Löw
Germany could face both in Russia and coach Joachim Löw is clear on which of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo poses the bigger danger to his side.
Lionel Messi's ability to both score and create goals means Germany boss Joachim Löw would prefer him in his team ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Debate over which of the two LaLiga stars boasts the greater legacy is set to rage again during the World Cup in Russia as they both aim to claim football's biggest team prize for the first time. Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to replicate the success Portugal enjoyed at Euro 2016 while Messi is seeking to atone for Argentina's defeat in the final at Brazil 2014. Löw got the better of the Barcelona man in that match, but he would happily have the attacker in Germany colours over the Real Madrid star.
Messi "the most complete player I have seen"
"I would stick with Messi," Löw told Bild. "Cristiano Ronaldo is sensational, a very good professional, an incredible goalscoring machine for many years, but Messi is the most complete player I have seen. He is a great team player. He's provided 30 to 40 assists for the last 10 years as well as scoring around 50 goals. He's capable of leaving eight or nine players in his path and his goals always stay in your memory."
Löw will attempt to lead Germany to back-to-back World Cup triumphs in Russia, a feat managed by only two other nations.