Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon talks about Messi and Ronaldo

Gianluigi Buffon, captain of the Italian national team and Juventus Turin, refused to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying that "although they are two different players, they both give a lot of fear."

"I have faced them many times and they are very different," replied Buffon. "Messi is perhaps a bit more complete: he starts plays from the back and has more technical skills and a better vision of the game. He is a playmaker and a finisher," he assessed.

"Cristiano, especially in recent years, has specialized more in being a 'killer' in the area. He manages his energy better and as soon as he gets the ball in the area, he doesn't fail and scores," said 'Gigi', who spoke to the media ahead of the friendly against Argentina.

"What is clear is that both of them give a lot of fear," clarified the goalkeeper.

Veteran Buffon, 40 years old, will lead the 'Azzurra' after the failure in the qualifying phase for the 2018 World Cup in Russia - Italy will not be at the World Cup for the first time in 60 years - in the friendly match on Friday night at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester (19:45 GMT) against Argentina.