The former Celta Vigo star is convinced that the Argentine stands alone in football history
Former Celta Vigo star Aleksandr Mostovoi has said that Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time.
Barcelona take on Celta on Saturday at Camp Nou, with the Catalans holding on to a three-point lead over Sevilla and Atletico Madrid at the top of the table.
Messi is coming off an extraordinary performance last weekend against Levante, as the Argentine netted three goals and added two assists in a 5-0 win.
The 31-year-old's continued excellence has led to many considering him the greatest ever, and the Russian counts himself among that group.
"There is no one who can stop Messi, he is the best player of all time," Mostovoi told Goal.
"He's has been repeating it for 10 years. Many compare him to (Diego) Maradona or (Johan) Cruyff, but it seems obvious to me that Messi is the best in history."
Messi has won the Ballon d'Or five times in his illustrious career, but 2018 saw him controversially finish in fifth place.
Real Madrid and Croatia star Luka Modric won the prize, with Messi finishing outside of the top three for the first time since 2007.
Mostovoi, who starred for Celta between 1996 and 2004, believes the Ballon d'Or voters made a grave mistake handing the award to a player who finds the net so infrequently.
"I do not understand how a player who scores seven goals can be chosen as the best in the world," Mostovoi said.
"Modric is great, but as long as Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo exist, it is inexplicable for someone to pass in front of them.
"It can not be explained that a player who scores 50 goals and so many assists is not among the top three."
shariffeyyulegunshot
262
I always believe in Messi than Magic
vfc1
208
leonal messi the GOAT
liverpoli
155
Obviously, this thing is not new, Ronaldo fans just give up a lot of players and legends are saying Messi is the best, apart from Pele
ceeaestz
124
Yes, Messi is the Greatest Of All Time. It is because I saw him playing that makes me want to play football. The impact of Messi to this young generation is so tremendous to an extent that in India, someone (fan of Messi) even committed suicide because Argentina losed to Croatia during the world cup in Russia. Messi is the Best Of All Time despite his non performance during the world cup as we could see four to five players surrounded him in every match. Not to ignored Luka Modric who humbled himself to have achieved the Ballon d'or really deserved for the session 2017-18. He had a great session. If we are to compare between the mid fielder and the striker, it is like judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree. You and I like Messi and we both know he is the god of football. But being a football fans, let's not be one sided. Let us not condemn Luka Modric who is one of the greatest mid fielders for this generation. And lastly, it is questionable for Messi being in the fifth place...
chidesco1
87
He's just confirming what we have known for ages. Too bad he's team is coming up post- pele's comment on messi
Geovanny34
69
This is why people hate messi