It’s pretty remarkable that the Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo debate has been rumbling on for an entire decade now.

The two superstars have been ridiculously good since 2008. No other player has come close to winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award during that time.

They will both be remembered as two of the greatest - if not *the* two greatest - players of all time. And fortunately, they still have a good few years left in them yet.

Ronaldo celebrates his 33rd birthday today - another sign that the Real Madrid maestro is now approaching the autumn of his playing career - while Messi turns 31 in June.

But despite the fact they’re both on the wrong side of 30, they’re still regarded as the world’s two best footballers at the moment.

Messi has been superb this season - Ronaldo less so

Messi, in particular, has been extraordinary this season. He’s scored 27 goals in 34 appearances for Barcelona but it’s his all-round performances which have captivated football fans across the world.

Surely no other player in history has possessed as much footballing talent as the Argentine genius.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, has endured a difficult campaign - especially in La Liga, where he has netted a disappointing eight goals in 17 matches.

Some people reckon we’ve now seen the best of the former Manchester United star and it’s easy to understand that point of view.

Then again, you wouldn’t bet against him playing a starring role in Real Madrid’s Champions League Round of 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain. The first leg will be held next Wednesday night at the Bernabeu.

Thiago Silva sums up the difference between the two stars

Ahead of that match, PSG captain Thiago Silva has been speaking about both Ronaldo and Messi to French publication Le10 Sport.

The Brazilian defender has summed up the big difference between the two forwards, pointing out that it’s harder to easier to defend against Ronaldo than it is Messi.

“It's harder to defend against Leo Messi than Cristiano Ronaldo," Silva is quoted as saying by Sport. "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's comments hardly come as a shock

We’ve never defended against either player, obviously, but after watching the two players on a weekly basis for more than 10 years now, Silva’s comments hardly come as a shock.

Ronaldo used to be a full-back’s nightmare with his speed and trickery, but he’s been a much different player over the past four or five years.

Messi, however, can make any player on the planet look stupid.

In fact, there probably isn’t a top player out there who hasn’t been humiliated by Barça’s No. 10 at some point during their career.