Andres D'Alessandro praises Lionel Messi

Internacional midfielder Andres D'Alessandro has stated that Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is "the best player in the world."

D'Alessandro, 30, plays alongside Messi with Argentina, and the 30-year-old has admitted that the Catalan star drives other players on.

"Messi is the best player in the world. Playing alongside him makes you a better player. Being in the same team as him gives you a certain desire to do whatever you can and run your socks off," D'Alessandro told Goal.com.

"I hope that he will do well for Argentina, and that people will take notice. Because somehow there are still doubts that shouldn't be there."

D'Alessandro has 25 international caps to his name.