During his Cara a cara interview, former Spain boss Vicente del Bosque was asked to pick the better between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The World Cup-winning coach had no doubts that the Barcelona captain was the one who deserved the 'Best in the world' title.
"Messi, and I'll tell you why. This is not a dig at Cristiano, though. He [Messi] is a kid from the streets. One of those who was playing and making fun of you on the field. That's why he is the best," Del Bosque has said, as quoted by Diario Sport.
It's also worth mentioning that the 70-year-old played for Real Madrid between 1968 and 1984 and coached them between 1999 and 2003. Despite this, Del Bosque has no problem saying that Messi is the true GOAT.
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Gary Lineker: 'Mbappe is most likely to emulate Ronaldo but not Messi - he can do things that others simply can't'
"Mbappe is already a global superstar who is most likely to jump in the shoes of Ronaldo, but not Messi - he can do things that others simply can't," former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker has said in an interview with Goal.
"Talent-wise, there's no question. It's more about whether he has the same drive to sustain his career over 17, 19 years like the two of them (Ronaldo and Messi). It's quite remarkable and it takes something special to do that.
"Ability-wise, he could go on to do those things with big rumours about Real Madrid. Does he need to move on from PSG to realise his ambitions of greatness? Maybe, I don't know, but I don't think it will distract him from the tournament itself.
"It always is about the next generation. We saw it in the Champions League but I think it was more that Barcelona and Juventus have weak teams in transition at the moment.
"Messi, this calendar year, has scored more and got more assists than anyone else. Ronaldo is still banging in loads of goals. They are phenomenal.
"We saw Erling Haaland and Mbappe coming through in the Champions League and we will see it again at the Euros, with Mbappe. Hopefully, with one or two England lads like Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho [also doing well].
"I love Sancho and I think people will be surprised how good he is without watching as much foreign football. I am excited about Jude Bellingham, Nicolo Barella as well. There's also a lot of quality within the France team."
Mbappe and Haaland are viewed by many as the successors of Messi and Ronaldo.
While the Frenchman has long been linked with a move to Madrid, the Norwegian is said to be among Barca's major targets for the summer of 2022.
'A loss of a talent like his, it's not good for our football': Del Bosque doesn't want Messi to leave La Liga
Former Spain head coach Vicente Del Bosque says Spanish football will miss Messi if he leaves.
Speaking in a chat with EFE, Del Bosque said: "I don't know if it will be Messi's last Clasico but I do believe that every time there is a loss of a talent like his, it's not good for our football."
Messi is in the last year of his contract with Barca and could leave the Blaugrana for free at the end of the season if his contract isn't renewed.
Messi is La Liga's greatest scorer with 467 goals. He also holds the record for most assists with 206.
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