Those who knew him are almost unanimous: Hatem Ben Arfa had exceptional talent. Some go even further, like Djibril Cissé, who believes that in terms of intrinsic quality, the former OL, OM and PSG striker had nothing to envy of Lionel Messi.
An opinion that Samir Nasri does not share. If he recognizes the immense talent of his former partner in the France team, the ex-Citizen refuses to place him on the same level as Lionel Messi.
“If Ben Arfa was the best player? No, no, no. Hatem is a real talent, it’s a waste given his talent, he could have done better. But he’s not the best I’ve played with. I find that those who say that are exaggerating. I played against Messi. No, no, no, I tell you: no (he is not stronger than Messi)”launched the Canal+ consultant in the Respect podcast.
Nasri on Ben Arfa: “He’s a crack, but Messi is the crack of cracks”
“Hatem, I saw him every day, I knew him when I was 15, we trained, we were on the French team together. He’s a crack, but Messi is the crack of cracks, really “, said Nasri.
And to conclude: “ I played against him in a match, it’s not in training where everyone is strong because you play without pressure. I saw him in a match, what he did to us… I saw the behavior of my defenders when they played him, you wear Pampers when you play against Messi. The truth was crazy. »
