Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has claimed Lionel Messi is best player in the world right now.
The Argentine has come up against the biggest names during his stint in charge of the Spanish club and despite many still staying loyal to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, many up-and-coming stars are staking their case.
Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are all names tipped to be the leaders of the post-Messi and Ronaldo era, while Jude Bellingham is also tipped for superstardom.
As long as Messi and Ronaldo are still lacing up their boots, their rivalry will remain, despite the Portuguese forward’s insistence that it is now over.
Simeone has always sided with compatriot Messi as the world’s greatest whilst admiring the talent of both the former Barcelona star and Ronaldo.
However, speaking in a press conference ahead of Atletico Madrid's fixture at Valencia on Saturday, Simeone reaffirmed his view that 36-year-old Messi remains the world’s best.
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"The best player in the world right now? Messi,” he told reporters.
"Messi, he became a world champion. What more does he have to win to continue being the best in the world?"
The Inter Miami star is tipped to win an eighth Ballon d’Or later this year following his heroics at the World Cup.
Messi inspired Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in Qatar, a feat likely to be recognised at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris in October.
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The Argentine has already helped Inter Miami win their first ever trophy when they lifted the Leagues Cup and continues to create headlines in south Florida since arriving this summer.
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