Josko Gvardiol takes pride from facing Lionel Messi despite being on the wrong end of a masterclass by the Argentine superstar in Croatia's World Cup semi-final defeat.
The Croatian - ranked as one of the best young defenders in the world - was taught a football lesson by Messi who produced arguably the assist of the tournament in a 3-0 victory for Argentina.
Messi stopped the ball in his feet and drove up the right flank, turning his marker Gvardiol inside and out, before getting to the byline and setting up Julian Alvarez for the final goal of the game.
As Croatia gear up for their third-place play-off against Croatia, the 20-year-old RB Leipzig defender - a target for Chelsea - has spoken out on his experience of coming up against Messi.
He said during Croatia's press conference: 'It was a nice experience even though I played against him in the club last season.
'He is a completely different type of player in the club and in the national team.
'I am glad that I played against him even though we lost.
'It's a great experience, and one day I'll tell my kids that I played against the best player in history. I guess we will beat him next time.'
Gvardiol’s Croatia teammate Andrej Kramaric added: ‘Messi is the greatest player in history.’
Kramaric was also doubtful over whether team-mate Luka Modric will retire from international football.
He said: 'We all know how many nice words were written about Luka and what he did not only for Croatia but the whole world. Knowing him, I'm not sure that this is his last.
While Croatia gear up for Morocco, Messi and Argentina get ready to play France in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Messi has admitted this will be his final World Cup game, meaning that it will be his last shot at adding the World Cup to his illustrious list of honours in the game.