Rivaldo, the Barcelona icon, has insisted that Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi is not the world’s greatest player of all time because he is yet to win a World Cup with Argentina national team.
Rivaldo, who is Barcelona’s sixth top goalscorer of all time, believes Messi is behind football legend, Pele, in the world’s greatest player top three rankings.
The former Brazilian international also said that Messi deserved his record seventh Ballon d’Or.
DAILY POST reports that France Football named Messi as the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or award ahead of Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea midfielder, Jorginho.
“He [Lionel Messi] deserved the award based on his performances for Argentina as they won the Copa America – a trophy they’ve coveted for many years – and he was the best player of the tournament,” Rivaldo told Betfair.
“There will always be arguments about the Ballon d’Or, as there are so many voters from all over the world and there is so much footballing talent around.
“I could have made the case for Karim Benzema, along with [Robert] Lewandowski and Messi, but in the end, the award must go to one player.
“It is possible the Argentinian’s amazing career also had some influence on those voters who were wavering.
“He’ll be remembered as one of the best players ever, but it is tough to say he already is the best, as he’s still chasing a World Cup title with Argentina.
“Other players, such as Pele, won the World Cup many times, so I don’t think Messi should be considered the best ever.
“He’s up there, though, and would make the top three.”
