Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran has played against some of the finest forwards in Europe during his seven-year spell in the Spanish capital.
And the 33-year-old believes Lionel Messi is the best player in the world - better than Cristiano Ronaldo and better than Neymar, who he accuses of complaining too much.
Both Ronaldo and Neymar have left La Liga in recent years but Juanfran and Messi will collide once more when Barca face Atletico after the international break.
The defender, who has played more than 300 matches for Diego Simeone's side, is full of praise for the Barcelona talisman.
'For me, Messi is the best, I've always said it,' Juanfran said of the forward who recently returned from a broken arm.
'He and Cristiano have marked differences, but Leo has always had a little more. I respect him very much.
'On the field you can kick him, he doesn't complain much. Neymar, on the other hand, is the opposite of Messi.'
Barcelona currently lead La Liga by one point, with Sevilla, Atletico and Alaves all sitting one point behind.