The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Maradona-c11160 and Johan Cruyff.
During his playing days at the Camp Nou, between 1961 and 1971, Jose Antonio Zaldua had the opportunity to play and witness the finest footballers the world has ever seen in action.
However, at the age of 70 and after seeing the evolution of the beautiful game, the former Spanish international believes Barcelona talisman, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296, is the best of all time.
In a recent interview to Barcelona-based Spanish sports daily, Sport, Zaldua praised the record-breaking 24-year-old and insisted that he is on a different level as compared to the former greats of the game.
"Messi is the best player I've seen in my life."
"I've seen Pele, Di Stefano, Maradona and Cruyff but nobody like Messi.”
To make his point, Zaldua highlighted different aspects of the Rosario native’s game. The Barcelona favourite was adamant that Messi has no comparisons in the manner he beats goalkeepers to score, and believes he will break all records
that lie in front of him.
"This ease with which he scores ... He does it all so easily; I have not seen anything like it.”
"I have not seen anyone like Messi. There is just no end to him. He is a phenomenon, an extraterrestrial.”
"He will destroy and kill all the records that we have or might have. He is a marvel."
Continuing with the praises, Zaldua also had kind words for current Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola. The aged attacker believes La Blaugrana have the enviable combination of the best player and coach in the world.
However, the former player, who also donned the jersey of Sabadell during his playing days, wished that Guardiola commits his future to Barcelona and stays at the Camp Nou for the long haul.
"We have the best coach in the world," the former forward enthused. "There is much merit in what he is doing and I hope that he has many years [at the club]."
In the current campaign, Messi has been at his devastating best, rising up in footballing folklore in the process.
Bayer Leverkusen had the unfortunate experience of witnessing the Argentinean captain at his best, as he scored five past the Bavarian side in their UEFA Champions League second leg, at the Nou Camp.
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