The Time When Lionel Messi's Rival Had Big Words Of Praise For The World Cup Winner

Lionel Messi has cemented himself as the GOAT (Greatest of all time) with all of his achievements in the football world. The 8 time Ballon D'Or winner just had one trophy missing from his cabinet that was the World Cup and in 2022, Messi was able to achieve his dream of lifting the World Cup and completed football. During Messi's time at FC Barcelona, some of his most iconic moments came against rival club Real Madrid during their El Classico matches. 

These matches would get very heated with players getting physical and verbal with each other. One of Messi's biggest rivals who played for Real Madrid once showered heavy praise on the former Barcelona man. 

Real Madrid Star With Heavy Praise For Lionel Messi 

“Lionel Messi left his mark. You can’t deny it. He was always a rival, with Barcelona and with Argentina, there was no way to escape it. But those who like football, like Messi. It was a pleasure playing against him. He is a guy who does not need comment. You just have to admire him,” said former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro who has faced off against Lionel Messi on several occasions for both club and country. 

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Casemiro Names His Three Best Players Of The Current Generation 

Casemiro further added that according to him Neymar, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the greatest players of the current generation.  

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"I had the pleasure of seeing Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, who are the three greatest of my generation. I saw [the Brazilian] Ronaldo, I saw Zinedine Zidane but, without a doubt, these three are the best of my time. I never played against Cristiano, thank God! He gave me many titles and victories," concluded the Brazilian.