Mesut Ozil has an unusual take on the Messi v Ronaldo debate

Mesut Ozil has a tendency to see the choices that no one else can.

So what does he do when he's torn right down the middle with a dilemma? Introduce a third option and just pick that, easy! The Arsenal star adopted a creative tactic when he was recently asked to settle the debate on who is the greatest footballer of the modern era - Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? The German playmaker was able to get a good look at both of them during his time in Spain, though you might think he would opt for his former Real Madrid team-mate. But in typical Ozil fashion, he opted to pass instead. So while the Premier League's assist king acknowledged that both were among the best players he's ever seen, the Arsenal man threw a curve ball in the mix by bringing a third name to the table.

"They are both truly world-class players," Ozil said, in an interview with The Mirror. "But I am and always will be a [Zinedine] Zidane fan. So I say Zidane."

Don't worry Arsenal fans, we're sure it was just an easy cop out and not a sign that he could be tempted back to the Bernabeu by the Real coach.