David Villa has insisted Lionel Messi will remain “the best in the world” for as long as he keeps playing, with the former Barcelona forward giving his old team-mate full GOAT billing.
Villa, who played alongside Messi during a trophy-laden spell at Camp Nou, said there is no need to search for comparisons or look for a new king of the game while the Argentina captain is still on the pitch. In his view, Messi’s level has not dropped, regardless of where he plays or what stage of his career he is in.
“Until he retires, he’s going to be the best in the world,” Villa said, making it clear that for him the debate ends there.
The Spaniard pointed to the consistency Messi has shown throughout his career, arguing that even after leaving Barcelona he has continued to decide matches and produce moments that separate him from everyone else. Villa’s message was simple: Messi’s talent is not tied to one league, one club or one era.
Villa also revealed that, from his time sharing a dressing room with him, Messi’s biggest strength is not only the obvious quality on the ball but also his ability to keep delivering in every situation. That, he believes, is why the forward remains the standard for the rest of the sport.
Messi, now at Inter Miami after spells with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has continued to add to his legend, and Villa has no doubt he will keep doing it. For the former Spain international, the moment Messi stops playing will be the moment football truly has to ask who is next.
