Lionel Messi in the Words of Others
No player has been described in quite such reverent terms as Lionel Messi. Here is what the managers who coached him, the teammates who played beside him and the rivals who tried to stop him have said — in their own words.
From his record-breaking years at Barcelona to a World Cup with Argentina and a new chapter at Inter Miami, Messi has left the game's greatest figures reaching for new ways to describe him. These are some of the most memorable things they have said.
Don't write about him, don't try to describe him. Just watch him.
I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football, and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius.
We have shared the stage for 15 years. Of course we have a good relationship. We haven't had dinner together yet, but I hope in the future.
He will be the one with the most Ballons d'Or in history. He is incomparable; he plays in another league.
He's like a PlayStation. He can take advantage of every mistake we make. He made the impossible possible.
Messi is on a level above all others. Those who do not see that are blind.
Messi only uses his left foot and he's still the best in the world. Imagine if he also used his right — then we would have serious problems.
When you have Leo Messi, anything can happen. When he gets upset, he runs around the whole team. There is nothing you can do.
Messi is the best in the world without any doubt, and for me the best in the history of football.
This Barça will be remembered as Messi's Barça. He's well above anything else I've ever seen. He's an alien.
Lionel Messi could play in the 1950s or the present day, as could Di Stéfano, Pelé, Maradona and Cruyff. Messi without question comes into that category.
Quotes are drawn from public interviews, press conferences, autobiographies and reputable media reports. Some have been condensed for length while preserving their original meaning. Dates are shown where they can be reliably established.
Frequently asked questions
What have other players said about Lionel Messi?
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Teammates and rivals alike have called Messi the best of all time. Xavi said anyone who doesn't see he's on another level is 'blind', Zlatan Ibrahimović joked that Messi is unstoppable using only his left foot, and even his career-long rival Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken warmly about their shared era at the top.
What did Pep Guardiola say about Messi?
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Pep Guardiola, who managed Messi during Barcelona's most dominant years, famously said: 'Don't write about him, don't try to describe him. Just watch him.'
Did Diego Maradona praise Messi?
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Yes. As early as 2006, Maradona said he had seen the player who would inherit his place in Argentine football — Messi — calling him a genius. The two later worked together with the Argentina national team.
Who is better, Messi or Ronaldo?
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It is football's greatest debate. Messi has more Ballon d'Ors and won the 2022 World Cup, while Ronaldo leads on total career goals and longevity. Many of the figures quoted here saw both at close range — and still can't fully agree.