Javier Mascherano paid the perfect compliment to his former FC Barcelona teammate, Lionel Messi.
Both men played key roles in FC Barcelona’s incredible dominance of domestic and European football between 2008 and 2012, and have made more than 100 international appearances for Argentina.
With Messi in attack and Mascherano in defence, FC Barcelona were an unstoppable force, with four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues won by the same team.
Mascherano joined Hebei China Fortune in 2018, while Messi remained in Catalonia.
Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup at the end of 2022, with Mascherano watching in Qatar, and the retired star has no doubts about Messi’s excellence.
“After the World Cup, Messi has already settled any debate (about the greatest player),” according to reports from Marca.
“Messi is the greatest player my eyes have seen.
“Messi looks very happy in Miami, not only playing football but also in life and with his family, and that’s something that could have been difficult in another place.”
Mascherano’s comments on Messi’s new chapter in Miami are backed up by a superb start in Florida, with five goals scored in his first three appearances in the United States.
