FC Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has revealed why he believes Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi is still the best footballer in the game following his impressive displays so far this season.
Messi seems to have found his feet in Paris this season following a slow start to life in Ligue 1.
Read: Iniesta on depression: I lost the will to live
Following his shock departure from Barcelona last year, the 35-year-old failed to live up to expectations in his first season in France, managing just 11 goals in 34 outings across all competitions – a far cry from the numbers most had come to expect from him.
That campaign was summed up by his exclusion from the 30-man final nominees shortlist for the 2022 Ballon d'Or, seeing him fail to be nominated for the prize for the first time since 2005.
This season, though, the Argentine has had a resurgence, having already beaten his 2021/22 goals tally. In the 17 games the seven-time Golden Ball winner has played for Les Parisiens across all competitions so far in this campaign, he has produced 12 goals and 13 assists.
His former teammate at the Camp Nou, Iniesta, has now shared his thoughts on Messi's improved second year in France, insisting that he remains the best player in the world as a result.
"For me, the one before and the one now are different from all of them," Iniesta told TyC Sports.
"He is No. 1. It doesn't matter if he was 10 years ago or now.
"The only thing he has done is grow, improve himself, be better, make his teammates better.
"I think that a team that has Leo has a very important point to achieve victories and titles.
Read: Messi to make shock PSG exit in January?
"I have no doubt that he is No. 1 and I have not seen anyone who does the things that he does.
"And not only what he does, but what he generates in the team."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: THE 70M MURAL PAINTED IN HONOUR OF MESSI IN HIS HOMETOWN IN ARGENTINA