Facing Cristiano Ronaldo was "no trouble" while Lionel Messi is a "different species", insisted a former Champions League winner.
Read: FIFA Announce Ballon d'Or Finalists
Former Dutch international Edgar Davids was asked which opponent he would rather not play against, and the retired footballer only had one answer.
"Player I don't want to face? Messi, definitely," he said during FIFA's announcement of the three FIFA Ballon d'Or finalists.
"I've faced Cristiano Ronaldo. There was no trouble. Messi would be the hardest to face for me.
"Messi combines speed with power, and his technical ability is brilliant.
"Lionel Messi is a different species."
Davids won 20 trophies during his playing career with Ajax, Juventus and Inter, among others. The 42-year-old also had a short loan spell with Barcelona in 2004, making 18 appearances.
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Both Messi and Ronaldo have been nominated for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or, with Neymar challenging the superstar duo to this year's award.
The Argentine and the Portuguese have shared the last eight World Player of the Year awards between them – the last player besides them to win it was Neymar's countryman Kaka in 2007.
Do you agree with Davids' assessment of Messi and Ronaldo? Have your say in the comments section below.
