PSV Eindhoven visit the Camp Nou on Tuesday to face Barcelona in a Champions League opener and coach Mark van Bommel believes they will come up against the world's best player in Lionel Messi.
The Argentine was left out of the shortlist for FIFA's The Best award, but the ex-Barcelona midfielder says that doesn't matter and that Messi is the best around.
"Messi is still number one," he said at his press conference.
"Even if he doesn't win the Ballon d'Or."
Van Bommel also hinted that his side would be able to cause an upset, saying that nothing should be ruled out.
"If I was satisfied be losing by as little as possible I would stay at home," he said.
"Barcelona are not at their very best, so let's try. There are always surprises in football."
As expected, Van Bommel was asked about his battle with Andres Iniesta in the 2010 World Cup final, but he quickly brushed off that question.
"It's amazing. It is something that happened in 2010, we're previewing a game in 2018."
shah2468
177
For those that always compare Ronaldo and Messi this is what you don't understand Ronaldo is a goal machine his playing style is meant for scoring goals alone, with a very good team work he's always gonna be a fantastic goal scorer. messi is a magical player whose playing style suits all kind of team plays and he's very robust can play as a play maker, goal scorer and also as a winger which makes him a more complete player than Ronaldo.. The fact that he Ronaldo is regarded as a goal machine doesn't make him a better goal scorer than messi, according to stats messi has better goal ratio per game than Ronaldo.. Ronaldo=goal machine, and can bring the best out of a play maker Messi=goal scorer, dribbler, play maker and can make the whole team look better and bring the best out of all attacking team mates.
CruizeKarthik
73
that doesn't mean Messi won't spare them in their upcoming match🤣
Mustfer
66
There's only 2 current players that can impose themselves on a game the way Messi can: Neymar and Hazard. Hazard can't score anywhere close to the rate Messi can, and Neymar lacks the consistency and temperament of Messi, which I feel is a big part of what truly makes him great. Messi is basically Hazard and Ronaldo combined into one player. Any attempt to equate Messi and someone still currently playing is without merit.
AbhijaiSingh
60
for me MESSI IS THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER and then there are others and Ronaldo is the best among others.
Don5000
55
I agree with you Van Bommel
wiybdlnor
51
1 thing I can't understand, most players playing with Ronaldo respect Messi and say he's the best, the coaches saying Messi is the best player,, But fans and spectators keep contemplating,, admit Messi is the best
India5141289
43
everyone knows that...tell us sthg new
Tocklmo
42
Messi is best footballer ever since
fizzbizzie
36
another ex Barcelona player.. what do we expect him to say..
Tumdlmnpsy
27
Take it or not Messi is still the NO.1 in football