MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 07:05:14| >> :120:47927:47927:

Ivan Rakitic: 'Lionel Messi the best footballer in history'

Rakitic: 'Lionel Messi the best in history'
© SilverHub
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic says that teammate Lionel Messi is "the best in history" and puts the Argentine ahead of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has said that teammate Lionel Messi is "the best in history" and has put the Argentine ahead of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi, who scored Barcelona's second goal in the club's 2-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday, had his record of five Ballon d'Or wins matched earlier this month as Ronaldo took the latest crown.

"I have a lot of respect for Cristiano Ronaldo," the Croatian international told Mundo Deportivo. "But he has played with the best player in history, which is Lionel Messi.

"Those who come behind are unlucky enough to have coincided with him."

The 2017 Ballon d'Or result means that Ronaldo and Messi have shared the last 10 awards between them, dating back to the former's first win in 2008.

ID:313884: cacheID:313884:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1427:
Written by
Jonny Whitfield
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Luis Suarez in action for Barcelona during their La Liga clash with Granada at the Camp Nou on October 29, 2016
Read Next:
Luis Suarez hails Alcacer after win
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!