Joe Hart: Sergio Aguero is better than Lionel Messi

Manchester City and England keeper Hart has been in superb form of late and has received widespread acclaim.

Lionel Messi was so impressed by Hart during their Champions League tie that he described him as a "phenomenon", and Luis Suarez was moved to embrace the Englishman after he brilliantly saved a Neymar shot.

Hart has been tested by in-form duo Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney during training at St George's Park but his toughest assignments come back at City where he is pitted against the best striker he has ever faced.

"Messi is awesome, but (Sergio) Aguero is probably the toughest I've faced," he said. "He just knows how to score.

“In training he particularly excites you most days. A long clearance could turn into a goal because he’s got that ability to take it round five people and score. Sergio is a very natural player.”

Asked of his opinion of Messi, Hart said: “I’m backing Sergio because he’s my player. But Messi is a phenomenal player. He’s definitely one of the best players I’ve ever played against.”