Former Real Madrid and Spain manager hails Messi as the best player he has ever seen

Speaking to Radio MARCA (h/t Mundo Deportivo), former Real Madrid and Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque has hailed Lionel Messi as the best player he has ever seen following his FIFA World Cup triumph with Argentina.

Messi was named the Best Player at the tournament as he led Argentina to their first FIFA World Cup trophy since 1986.

The 35-year-old former Barcelona icon also became the first player ever to win Golden Ball awards at the World Cup, while he also finished as the second-highest goalscorer at the tournament only behind Kylian Mbappe.

Given what he has achieved, tributes have been flowing for Messi and now Del Bosque has joined in to heap praise on the PSG superstar.

“The best player I have ever seen is Messi”, Del Bosque said.

Hailing the La Masia graduate’s consistency and longevity, the former Real Madrid boss added: “Among those I have known in so many years in football, for me Messi, for his consistency and for his quality as a player, has been impressive.”

“He has had some fantastic seasons and has always led his team forward.”

This is not the first time that Del Bosque has spoken highly of the Argentina captain. Back in 2019, the ex-Spain manager had weighed in on the Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate, stating that his pick would be the former Barcelona skipper.

“Between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, I’ll take Messi. I see him as a more natural footballer, more of a street footballer, more of a neighbourhood footballer, a lifelong player playing with his friends,” he had said.

Messi left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 after the Catalans could not renew his contract. With his deal at PSG expiring at the end of the season, rumours of a return to Camp Nou have been doing the rounds.

However, the 35-year-old is understood to have reached an agreement in principle to remain in Paris for another season.