Bayern Munich: Muller compares Messi to Ronaldo after PSG victory

The Bavarians prevented Messi and his teammates from reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

Thomas Muller has admitted Cristiano Ronaldo has caused more “problems” for Bayern Munich compared to Lionel Messi.

Bayern defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday. The hosts successfully kept Messi and Kylian Mbappe at bay, winning the tie with a 3-0 result on aggregate.

The defeat marked the third time Bayern eliminated Messi from the Champions League. Speaking to Kicker after the game, Muller was asked about facing the Argentine superstar.

“Against Messi, things always go well at all levels in terms of results,” the veteran forward said.

“At club level, Cristiano Ronaldo was our problem when he was at Real Madrid. But I have the greatest respect for Messi’s World Cup performance.”

Ronaldo first met Bayern in the Champions League in 2012, when the Bavarians eliminated Jose Mourinho’s side in the semi-finals.

But the Portuguese superstar was crucial to Real Madrid’s next three victories against their German rivals. During those matches, he scored seven goals, including a hattrick in the 2016-17 quarter-finals.

Muller went on to praise Messi for leading Argentina to their third World Cup title in Qatar.

“Messi’s individual performance at the World Cup was amazing,” the Bayern star added.

“He carried the whole squad. It’s not so easy to play at a team like PSG. It’s difficult to get a really good team balance.”