Lionel Messi will always be the greatest, says Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o has waxed lyrical about former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, labelling him “the best player in the world ever.”

Messi has so far clinched 33 pieces of silverware during a trophy-laden career in Catalonia spanning across 15 seasons, which has also seen the Argentine scoop five Ballon d’Or awards as well as clinch the European Golden Shoe on five occasions.

The mercurial marvel is considered by some to be the greatest player ever to grace a football pitch, an opinion echoed by former Cameroon International Eto’o, who played alongside Messi for five years.

Eto’o joined Barcelona at the time of Messi’s rise through La Masia academy and during his maiden campaign at the Camp Nou, with the ex-Real Madrid striker netting 25 league goals during the 2004/05 season, while Messi made seven first-team appearances and netted just the single goal.

The following season would prove more fruitful as both played a prominent role in Barca’s Champions League title success; and the pair would replicate that achievement three years later in Rome.

So having watched and played alongside Messi during his formative years as a fledgling forward, Eto’o has seen Messi’s ascent to greatness up close and personal, and the 37-year-old believes he is indeed the greatest ever.

“Leo, for us, will always be the best player in the world ever,” he said (via AS). “The human beings have to choose and they chose those three players, who have done well this year too. But for people like me and others, it doesn’t change the fact that Leo is the best player in the world ever.”

Messi was named in the FIFPro World XI on Monday evening, though he missed out on being named in the top three for FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award. Luka Modric clinched the accolade ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah due to his exploits for both club and country.

The midfield magician helped Croatia reach the World Cup final, with the nation losing 4-2 to France, and he also played a key role as Real Madrid won the Champions League last season.

Messi has already made a blistering start to the season in typical fashion, scoring five goals in five La Liga matches, as well as registering two assists as the club sit top of the league.

The 31-year-old also scored a hat-trick as Barca brushed past PSV 4-0 in their opening Champions League group match. Next up for Ernesto Valverde’s side is an away trip to Leganes on Wednesday evening.

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