Lionel Messi has already revealed who he believes is the ‘greatest ever’ English player.
Messi, 37, has played against his fair share of world-class footballers during his trophy-laden playing career, which has made him a good judge of talent.
The Inter Miami forward has shared a pitch with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, and David Beckham but who does he consider to be the greatest-ever English player?
Well, back in 2015, he described Rooney, 39, as a “once in a generation talent” after the former Man United forward broke Bobby Charlton’s Three Lions goalscoring record – which has since been bettered by Harry Kane.
“Wayne Rooney is for me a once-in-a-generation player,” Messi told the Mirror. “One of those special players, who is not comparable to any other.
“There are many special players, but Rooney has exceptional quality and technical ability as well as being one of the strongest players I have faced with an exceptional work rate – there is nobody like him.”
“I have always said the same is true of myself and Argentina — breaking caps and goals records mean nothing unless they come with trophies,” Messi added. “Like I say, Wayne is a winner. It will always be the team first and personal records second.”
And despite his positive words about Rooney, it was another player who Messi deemed to be the best to come from England.
Speaking in 2016, the Barcelona legend said: “Personally, I think [Steven] Gerrard is England’s greatest-ever player. I wish him a happy retirement,” after the ex-Liverpool captain announced he was hanging up his boots following a spell at MLS side LA Galaxy.
Gerrard, 44, has also been complimentary about the Argentinian in the past.
He settled the GOAT debate between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when speaking to Gary Neville during an episode of The Overlap in 2023.
“They are the two in my era that were just… the numbers – when you’re a footballer, and you’ve done it yourself – I’m not sure who’s going to ever do that again,” Gerrard said.
“I think they’re both operating on a different planet to every footballer that’s ever lived, probably besides your Peles and your Maradonas,” he added.
“But Messi, for me, is more of a team player. If he’s in on goal, he’ll look for a pass as well as obviously posting really, really good numbers individually as well.”