Lionel Messi is a football legend, still at the top of his ability the moment this post is published.
In our opinion, he is the best football player to have ever lived. Obviously, it’s not easy to compare football players of different generations, but what Messi has achieved in his career so far with FC Barcelona has never been done before.
And we are not the only ones who think this way.
We have collected some quotes on Messi by absolute legends of the game. People who either played against him, played with him, coached him, were on the opposite coaching bench or if none of the above, simply know what they are talking about.
PS: Is it football or soccer? Please check our explanation on the matter and what countries call football soccer in our post about it.
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola is an Ex-Barcelona Player And One Of Europe’s Most Successful Coaches Today having gained a lot of success in Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.
“He is the best player I have ever seen. The best thing about him is not what he does but how simple he makes everything look. He is not just the best player because he can dribble past three or four players, it is because he does it better than anyone in the world.”
Diego Simeone
Diego Simeone knows all about Messi as he has faced him multiple times during his coaching years in Atlético Madrid, so he surely knows what he is talking about.
“Messi is undoubtedly the best player in the world. He’s the determining factor. He’s key, he controls the pace, he directs above all the team’s attack.”
Jürgen Klopp
Starting out at Mainz 05 and getting a lot of success at Borussia Dortmund, Jürgen Klopp is now proving he is one of the best coaches today.
“I have coached a few really good players. My dad liked Pele, but Messi is the best ever.”
José Mourinho
“Messi is the god of football. When Messi has the ball, one on one, you’re dead.”
Frank Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard is a Barcelona legend, both as a player and as a coach. He had the pleasure of being his coach and knows Messi very well.
“He’s an incredible person. Messi is not simply a uniquely talented footballer. He’s also strong mentally, very bright, and exceptionally dedicated to his job. Personally speaking, I enjoy watching him play, and I’m deeply proud of him and what he has achieved. Quite simply, he’s the best. “
Gerardo Martino
Gerardo Martino is the current coach of the Mexican national team and played most of his career town of Rosario, Argentina for Newell’s Old Boys.
“He sees passes that most people can only see whilst watching the game on TV, not ones that you can normally see on the pitch.” –
Johan Cruyff
The late Johan Cruyff is one of the most influential people in world football, as he wasn’t only one of the best players to ever play the game, he also invented an entirely new approach of football called “Total Football.” Simply put, he’s one of the ultimate legends of football.
“For the world of football, Messi is a treasure because he is a role model for children around the world… Messi will be the player to win the most Ballons d’Or in history. He will win five, six, seven. He is incomparable. He’s in a different league.”
Diego Armando Maradona
One of the greatest, yet one of the most controversial, footballers ever is Diego Maradonna. He led Argentina to the World Cup and Napoli to the Italian Championship singlehandedly, and even though his behavior can be questionable at times, his talent for the game of football never was.
“I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius.”
Pele
Arguably one of the best footballers to ever live and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all times is the Brazilian Pele. It’s always nice to hear what he has to say.
“I like Messi a lot, he’s a great player. Technically, we’re practically at the same level.”
Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is one of the best coaches football has ever seen. he won just about everything with the clubs he coached and has been the opponent of Messi on numerous occasions.
“In my entire life I have never seen a player of such quality and personality at such a young age, particularly wearing the ‘heavy’ shirt of one of the world’s great clubs… Before a game, you can plan for everything. But Messi can produce a move that no-one expects and change the game in an instant.”
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is one of the most gracious football players to ever play the game. Everything he did on the pitch turned into a work of art, never reproduced by anyone else. As the coach of Real Madrid, he faced Messi on numerous occasions.
“He is always going forwards. He never passes the ball backward or sideways. He has only one idea, to run towards the goal. So as a football fan, just enjoy the show.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
Eccentric figure, yet football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic not only played with Messi during his time at Barcelona, but he also faced him on the opposite side. It’s always great to hear what Zlatan has to say about things.
“Messi does not need his right foot. He only uses the left and he’s still the best in the world. Imagine if he also used his right foot, Then we would have serious problems.”
Gary Lineker
Prolific England’s goalscorer and current BBC commentator and analyst Gary Lineker is definitely a legend for English and world Football.
“Fella’s a genius. Best ever by a distance in my life time. Never really saw Pele… Souness, Gullit, Venables and now Rooney agree Messi is the best they have seen. He plays a game with which we are not familiar.”
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer is one of the best football players ever in German history, and a true legend at Bayern Munich.
“Messi is a genius. He has everything. When I watch him, I see a player who is very, very, skillful, very clever and his left foot is like Diego Maradona’s.”
Antonín Panenka
Who else than the inventor of the legendary penalty kick method, to give his opinion about Messi copying him:
“The execution was the best I’ve ever seen – not too powerful, central, good elevation… Technically the goal was impressive. It is a further demonstration of (Messi’s) quality.”
Ronaldinho
Let’s top of this list of quotes on Messi by legends with one of the best football players ever, The amazing Ronaldinho Gaucho. He played with Messi for multiple years, and both of them amazed the world with their performances on the pitch.
“He’s the best in history, no doubt. Nobody has done what Messi’s done. I hope he plays 20 more years. Those who love football would love to have him here for much longer. I think, when he leaves, nobody will be able to take the No. 10 of Leo.”
