Lionel Messi is generally regarded as the greatest football player of all time, but the Argentinian has also been merciful in distributing both teammates and rivals
Lionel Messi has chosen six football players he regards in world class. Despite his own status as demonstrably the largest player in football history, the Argentinian star has always been merciful in recognizing the skills and talents of both former teammates and competitors.
With a trophy cabinet with 12 league titles, 17 domestic cups, four champion competitions, eight balloon d'Ors and a world cup, it is no secret that the legend of Barcelona, ​​PSG and Inter Miami are remembered as one of the best players ever stepping on the field.
But even at 37, Messi remains modest when she thinks about the possibilities of the people around him. So, who are the six players who has praised Messi over the years?
Cristiano Ronaldo
One of the few players who could contest Messi's Goat (Greatest all Time) title of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo regularly received praise from his old rival. The couple handed down in countless El Clasico collisions during the term of Messi in Barcelona and Ronaldo's time with Real Madrid.
And with an equally impressive range of trophies to his name, it is easy to see why some could favor CR7 in the debate about who is the superior player. Instead of concentrating on the differences, Messi has, however, pronounced more and more admiration for the Al-Nassr star, who continues to shine in the Saudi Pro League at the age of 40.
Messi once said about him: “Cristiano Ronaldo is an extraordinary player and it would be brilliant to be in the same team as he. I don't know if that will happen one day, but I would like it because he is spectacular.”
Luis Suarez
While Luis Suarez spent six years next to Messi as part of the famous MSN -Balvious Trio with Neymar JR, it is easy to see why the Argentinian endlessly sung the praise of the rush. When Suarez announced his retirement of International Football in September with his Nation Uruguay, Messi went to Instagram to write: “You are unique, Luis Suárez, both on and outside the field. I care a lot.”
During his stint with Barcelona, ​​Suarez scored 195 goals in 283 performances, with four La Liga trophies, six domestic cups and a Champions League lifting. And with the two already a supporters shield with each other in Inter Miami, the chemistry between the two cannot be denied.
Xavi
Because Xavi had been a key figure in Barcelona for six years when Messi came from the club's youth system in Catalonia, it is no surprise that Lionel always watched the Spanish legend during his career. Earlier Messi said in the midfielder: “Xavi, it's hard to describe him as a player – everyone in the world knows what he can do on the field.
“He is a player who dictates the rhythm of the game, he can place the ball where he wants, he reads the game excellent. It was a pleasure to play with him for so long and to enjoy his football – not only in games but also in training sessions.
“He is the best player in the history of Spanish football – I think all that says.”
Given the series of talent that Lionel Messi has encountered during his illustrious career, his views on Xavi should not be taken lightly.
The duo shared 11 years of success in Barcelona and collected an abundance of trophies before Xavi went to Al Sadd for the dusk of his playing days.
Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos, just like Ronaldo, spent many years with Messi in the fiery El Clasico Derbies who represent Real Madrid. Ramos was known for his tough-tackling style and was a fixture in the defense of Madrid for 16 years from 2005 to 2021, and Messi openly admitted that Ramos was often the opponent that he would clash with most on the field.
Messi discussed their confrontations on the pitch and said: “We fought a lot with Sergio Ramos. We later became teammates, but [before] We have always caught each other in the Clásicos. The Clásicos were intense. “
Eventually the two football giants put their rivalry aside and bundled the forces at PSG from 2021 to 2023, where they added two Ligue 1 titles and a Trophy des Champions to their already impressive Hauls.
The mutual admiration is clear, in which Ramos Messi has praised as “the best player who has ever produced football”.
Kylian Mbappe
Messi formed a strong bond with Kylian Mbappe during their stint together on PSG, even though it only took two years. In a chat with Tudn, Messi said about the Frenchman: “Kylian is another player.
“He is a beast, he is very strong one-on-one, he finds space and he is very fast. He can score a lot of goals, he is a very complete player and he has been showing that for years. In the coming years he will be one of the very best, undoubtedly.”
Although Messi may have hoped to see the 26-year-old in Barcelona after his PSG official period, Mbappe chose to become a member of Real Madrid, where he excelled in 2024/25
Karim Benzema
Messi also had to suffer from Karim Benzema during his time in Barcelona, ​​a formidable striker who produced no fewer than 354 goals for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2023. Despite the fact that he was never teammates, Messi did not stop his admiration for Benzema.
Speaking about Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2022, said Messi: “I think Benzema was an honest winner. He deserves it for the great year he had and what he did during his career.
“He is a great player and I think it's important for him and for football that he has this recognition.”
Benzema said goodbye to Los Blancos in 2023 to become a member of the Saudi Pro League with Al-Eittihad, with four LA Liga titles and five champions competitions as proof of his successful term of office.