Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate says teammate Jermain Defoe would be regarded as a world star if he was playing for a bigger club.

Woodgate was reflecting on Defoe's five-goal haul in Tottenham's 9-1 victory over Wigan.

"I think he's the sharpest striker, probably in the world," he said. "Put Jermain Defoe up playing for Barcelona and I'm sure he'd be as well known [as Lionel Messi].

"He can do anything he wants to do. He's been outstanding, he can make a massive impact in the World Cup."