“Messi’s achievements are incomparable to anything else, he is the best player in the history of football” – Mostovoy

Former Russian national team midfielder Alexander Mostovoy explained why he considers Inter Miami Argentine forward Lionel Messi the best player in the history of football.

On Monday, 36-year-old Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, received the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his career. At the end of 2022, the striker won the World Cup in Qatar as part of the Argentina national team.

— Lionel Messi received the Ballon d’Or this year. In your opinion, is it deserved? Who was your favorite?

— My favorite was Messi. I am convinced and have said many, many times that there has never been such a footballer and there won’t be for a long time. For me he is the best player in the history of football. It is clear that it is difficult to compare with Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, but what Messi did, the records he broke, his trophies, scored, gave and did everything – it is incomparable with anything. Even 10 years ago, someone managed to argue who is better – Ronaldo or Messi? Even then I preferred Messi. At the same time, for me Ronaldo is an outstanding football player.

— You retired in 2005, Messi made his debut for Barça in 2003. How did Spanish football perceive the appearance of such a player?

“I didn’t get to play against him, but I remember well that everyone said: “There is a little phenomenon that is about to appear.” I then had similar feelings to how we found out about Ronaldo. Remember that Brazilian team with Bebeto and Romario from the 1994 World Cup? Then they said that there was a guy who would surpass them, and he was only 16-17 years old then. Similar feelings. Ronaldo was the best in his position,” Metaratings.ru quotes Mostovoy as saying.